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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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]