cameos

Variant of cameo

noun pl. cameos

  1. a carving in relief on certain stratified gems (sardonyx, agate, etc.) or shells so that the raised design, often a head in profile, is usually in a layer of different color from its background
  2. a gem, shell, etc. so carved
    1. a minor but well-defined role in a play, film, etc., esp. when performed by a notable actor
    2. a fine bit of descriptive writing

Origin: It cammeo < ML camaeus, camahutus; ult. < ? Pers chumāhän, agate

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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