Cam"e*o (?), n.; pl.
Cameos (#). [It cammeo; akin to F.
camée, camaïeu, 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.
☞ 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.
Cameo conch (Zoöl.), a
large, marine, univalve shell, esp. Cassis cameo, C.
rua, and allied species, used for cutting cameos. See
Quern conch.