Căm'e-o, n.

n.; pl. căm'/e-ōs. [It. cameo, cammeo. See CAMAIEU.] A precious stone carved in relief.

☞ Originally the onyx, and afterward the agate, were used for this purpose. In the true cameo, a stone is used having two layers (and sometimes more) of different colors; and the art consists in so cutting as to appropriate these different colors to different parts or elevations of the work. Shells are also used for cheaper work of the same kind. Elmes.