a technique of engraving upon a gem or other stone, as onyx, in such a way that an underlying stone of one color is exposed as a background for a low-relief design of another color.
a gem or other stone so engraved.
a literary sketch, small dramatic scene, or the like, that effectively presents or depicts its subject.
Also called cameo role . a minor part played by a prominent performer in a single scene of a motion picture or a television play.
Origin of cameo
1375–1425; <Italian cam(m)eo<Old French camaieu, of uncertain origin; replacing late Middle English camew, cameu<Old French
Tarantino would later cast Chiba in a cameo as legendary sword maker Hattori Hanzo in Kill Bill: Vol.
The Secrets of ‘Pulp Fiction’: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About the Movie on Its 20th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
[Laughs] I was down there watching him for a while—I did a cameo with him at the end of the film—and he was very funny.
R.L. Stine’s Secret to Scaring the Crap Out of Kids|Kevin Fallon|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I went to Siena, which was cast as Perugia, for a cameo role as a television journalist in the film.
What It's Like to Watch Kate Beckinsale Play You in a Movie|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The film stars Michael Parks, Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment, and features a cameo by Johnny Depp.
Watch the Best Footage From Comic-Con ‘14: ‘Interstellar,’ ‘Ant-Man,’ ‘Batman v Superman,’ More|Marlow Stern|July 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heck, I even remember his cameo in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective back in the early '90s —this guy was a hero back when I was a kid.
Should Dan Marino Have Sued the NFL Over Concussions?|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He saw that her sweet mouth was set in a cruel line and her cameo chin was firm as a rock.
Louisiana Lou|William West Winter
A slender thread of light falling upon the soft contour of her features, carved in cameo their pure and delicate outline.
The Cross of Berny|Emile de Girardin
It was he who compelled her to take the cameo and other jewelry from time to time, and who planned more extensive raids to follow.
From School to Battle-field|Charles King
It is intended, however, to be looked at from the reverse side through the crystal—when the device appears like a cameo.
Jewellery|H. Clifford Smith,
The intaglio work on this side is not equal to that in cameo, on the other.
Scarabs|Isaac Myer
British Dictionary definitions for cameo
cameo
/ (ˈkæmɪˌəʊ) /
nounpluralcameos
a medallion, as on a brooch or ring, with a profile head carved in relief
(as modifier)a cameo necklace
an engraving upon a gem or other stone of at least two differently coloured layers, such as sardonyx, so carved that the background is of a different colour from the raised design
a stone with such an engraving
a single and often brief dramatic scene played by a well-known actor or actress in a film or television play