CREUX, a term in sculpture, used by the French though not yet naturalized amongst us; but the want of a word of equal import in English pleads strongly for its admission into our language.

Creux originally signifies a hollow, cavity, or pit, out of which something has been scooped; and hence it is used to denote that kind of sculpture and engraving 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 relievo, where the lines and figures are embossed, and appear prominent above the surface of the matter.