cameos

1 definition found

cameos - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cameo \Cam"e*o\ (k[a^]m"[-e]*[-o]), n.; pl. Cameos
     (k[a^]m"[-e]*[=o]z). [It. cammeo; akin to F. cam['e]e,
     cama["i]eu, Sp. camafeo, LL. camaeus, camahutus; of unknown
     origin.]
     A carving in relief, esp. one on a small scale used as a
     jewel for personal adornment, or like.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     Note: Most cameos are carved in a material which has layers
           of different colors, such stones as the onyx and
           sardonyx, and various kinds of shells, being used. The
           classical cameos made in Italy are carved on a seashell
           (see cameo conch, below), having an olive figure
           carved from the inner layer of the shell in relief on
           the white background of the outer layer of the shell.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Cameo conch (Zool.), a large, marine, univalve shell, esp.
        Cassis cameo, Cassis rua, and allied species, used for
        cutting cameos. See Quern conch.
        [1913 Webster]