cammaeus

relief engraving on a precious stone

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A compact three-shot film sequence: two principal actors remain in a café scene while recognizable guest performer Jackie Chan appears only in the middle shot as a passing waiter.

noun

cameo

KAM-ee-oh/ˈkæmiəʊ/

A brief, vivid contribution within a larger work.

Etymology

cameoLatinrelief engraving on a precious stone

A cameo was a small carving that stood out in relief. Through the sense 'short literary sketch or portrait,' it came to mean a small but distinctive performance that stands out among minor parts.

Full entry

Related word entries

cameo