Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. The small flat face at the bottom of a gem cut as a brilliant.
- n. Armor consisting of overlapping plates used to protect the buttocks.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. In armor, that part which protects the body behind, from the waist down. The word was not used in this sense until the fifteenth century, and implies generally a system of sliding plates riveted to a lining or to straps underneath, and corresponding to the cuissart in front. See
Almain-rivet and tasset. - n. In jewelry, the small flat surface at the back or bottom of a brilliant. Also called cullet, collet, and lower table. See cut under brilliant.
Wiktionary
Etymologies
- From Old French culet, diminutive of cul ("bottom"), itself from Latin culus ("arse"). (Wiktionary)
- Obsolete French, diminutive of cul, rump, from Latin cūlus; see (s)keu- in Indo-European roots. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“The truncating of the lower cone forms the tiny facet known as the culet, which lies opposite to the table and is parallel to the latter [see B, Fig. 13, cut”
A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public
“The especially large open culet on the bottom of the stone was a portal for the owner to go into the diamond and see whatever he wanted; this was part of its magic.”
“The size of the culet let the small facets produce a fire.”
“Its fourfold symmetry was reflected on its culet facets as well as the split-star facets.”
“Such well made brilliants when held up to a bright light appear almost black -- that is, they fail to pass any of the light through them (except through the tiny culet, which, being parallel to the table above, passes light that comes straight down to it).”
A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public
“However, one must use much judgment in such a case, as sapphires, like other corundum gems, frequently have their color irregularly distributed, and the skillful lapidary will place the culet of the stone in a bit of good color, and thus make the whole stone appear to better advantage.”
A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public
“The stone is then reversed and 24 facets, and the culet, polished on the back.”
A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘culet’.
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See cut under
A list of words with definitions directing us to "see cut under" (or "see cut at") another definition (with hilarity occasionally ensuing).
Compare compare-cut-under.spider, scorpion, spoonbill, spur, tooth, feather, gnat, beard, gyrate, astragal, jog, countercheck and 92 more...
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phrontistery - c
from phrontistery.info
czardas, cytometer, cytology, cytheromania, cystoscope, cystolith, cyrenaic, cypseline, cyprinoid, cyphonism, cynophobia, cytogenesis and 1298 more...
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Greek Fire
being items related to mediaeval warfare, arms and armaments.
caltrop, ballista, trebuchet, mangonel, petard, onager, petrary, hurlbat, francisca, crossbow, longbow, flail and 97 more...
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Just 'cause I like 'em, C
cryptoxanthin, convent, calcar, chuckle, campanile, covet, complexion, campestral, chirography, counterscarp, caliginous, catabolism and 722 more...
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Desserts of Random Palavery
Another of my Random Palavery lists, still an eclectic listing of terms that catch my eye and ear. It can't be helped. I am, (as a former partner phrased it) a word-bird.
chablis, ervy, keek, armiger, argand lamp, arblast, milch-cow, cow-calf units, durrus, tom noddy, low-bell, cargo cult and 139 more...
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Words I learned & loved in Gemmology
chatoyancy, amygdaloidal, birefraction, conchoidal, luster, adamantine, crystalline, euhedral, subhedral, anhedral, cabochon, culet and 69 more...
Tweets
Looking for tweets for culet.
hernesheir A tiny flat facet that diamond cutters sometimes add to the bottom of the stone's pavilion to prevent chipping or damage. The setting itself usually provides enough protection to prevent wear or damage to the pavilion. Aug 4, 2009
reesetee A facet on the very bottom of a diamond Sep 24, 2007