cam|e|o

cam|e|o «KAM ee oh», noun, plural -e|os, adjective.

–n.

1. a precious or semiprecious stone carved so that there is a raised design on a background usually of a different color. Agates, other stones with layers, and sometimes shells are used for cameos.

2. an engraving or carving made to resemble this effect.

3. a) a very brief but outstanding role or performance in a motion picture, play, or other dramatic performance that highlights a character or event: »

There are superb cameos by Dame Edith Evans and Hugh Griffith (Maclean's).

b) a short but striking literary description highlighting a character, event, object, or trait: »

Michael Wall gives us a chilling cameo of hatred on Cyprus (Manchester Guardian Weekly).

–adj.

of or like a cameo; short and striking: »

a cameo role, a cameo appearance on a show, a cameo portrait or sketch.

╂[Italian cammeo, perhaps < Arabic kamkhat incrustation, coating]