cameo English · revision 822

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkæm.iː.əʊ/ ''(UK)''; /ˈkæm.i.oʊ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The modern form is [[bor|it|cameo]], ''cammeo'' (1670).^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Hoad 1986) Earlier English forms were ''camew'' (1437), [[der|frm|camahieu]], Old French ''camaieu'', ''cameu'',^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) and ''camfeo'' (1554), from Spanish ''camafeo'',^(Barnhart 1995) all from a source represented by Medieval Latin ''cammaeus'', ''camahūtus'', of unknown origin.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) It may be of Eastern origin, perhaps Arabic ''qamaa'il'' “flower buds” or Persian ''chumahan'' “agate”.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A precious stone with two layers of different colours, in the upper of which a figure is carved in relief against the lower (1222, in Anglo-Latin; early 15th century in English spellings such as ''camew'').^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 19th century the word was used of other raised carving on a miniature scale.^(Etymonline) By transfer from cameo silhouettes it came to mean a short literary sketch or portrait (1851),^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995) and from 1928 a small character part that stands out from the other minor parts in a play or film.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) It now often means a brief appearance by a well-known performer,^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary) and is also used as a verb, to make such an appearance.^(AHD)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1222 – in Anglo-Latin texts.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1437 – ''camew''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1554 – ''camfeo''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1670 – ''cameo''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1851 – a short literary sketch.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1928 – a small, outstanding part in a play.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A gem or shell carved in [[relief]], especially with the raised design and the background in layers of contrasting colours; also the technique of carving in this way.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A small [[medallion]] with a head carved in profile in relief.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A brief, vivid portrayal or depiction, as a literary sketch or short scene.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # A brief appearance by a prominent performer in a single scene of a film or play.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make a brief but dramatic appearance, as in a film.^(AHD)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To portray in sharp, delicate relief.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cameo ware]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[intaglio]]

+ * [[onyx]]

+ * [[relief]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}