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cam·e·o

(kămē-ō′)

n. pl. cam·e·os

a. A gem or shell carved in relief, especially one in which the raised design and the background consist of layers of contrasting colors.

b. The technique of carving in this way.

c. A medallion with a profile cut in raised relief.

2. A brief vivid portrayal or depiction: a literary cameo.

3. A brief appearance of a prominent actor or celebrity, as in a single scene of a motion picture. Also called cameo role.

v. cam·e·oed, cam·e·o·ing, cam·e·os

v.tr.

1. To make into or like a gem or shell carved in relief.

2. To portray in sharp, delicate relief, as in a literary composition.

v.intr.

To make a brief appearance, as in a film: She cameoed as Anne Boleyn in A Man for All Seasons.

[Italian cameo and Middle English cameu (from Old French camaieu and Medieval Latin camahūtus).]

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cameo

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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