CREUX, a term in sculpture, much used by the French; though not yet, that we know of, natu-
ralized among us: but the want of a word of equal import in English, as it has frequently put us under a necessity of using this in the course of the present work; so it pleads strongly for its admission into our language.
CREUX originally signifies a hollow, cavity, or pit, out of which something has been scooped or dug: hence it is used to denote that kind of sculpture and graving where the lines and figures are cut and formed within the face or plane of the plate or matter engraven on. In which sense it stands opposed to relief; where the lines and figures are embossed, and appear prominent above the face of the matter.