Terme anglés que designa la breu aparició en una pel·lícula d'una persona coneguda, representant-se generalment a si mateix. D'acord amb el Webster, resulta que prové del francés, i que designava en principi el camafeu; més tard ha anat incorporant accepcions, com les 3 i 4, que són les que ens interessen, que pertanyen a la literatura, al cinema i al teatre.
(Merriam-Webster) Main Entry: cam·eo. Pronunciation: 'ka-mE-"O. Function: noun. Inflected Form(s): plural-eos. Etymology: Middle English camew, from Middle French camau, kamaheu. Date: 15th century. 1 a : a gem carved in relief; especially: a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as background b : a small medallion with a profiled head in relief. 2 : a carving or sculpture made in the manner of a cameo. 3 : a usually brief literary or filmic piece that brings into delicate or sharp relief the character of a person, place, or event. 4 : a small theatrical role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single scene; broadly: any brief appearance.
Function: noun. Inflected Form(s): plural -eos. Etymology: Middle English camew, from Middle French camau, kamaheu. Date: 15th century. 1 a : a gem carved in relief; especially: a small piece of sculpture on a stone or shell cut in relief in one layer with another contrasting layer serving as background b : a small medallion with a profiled head in relief. 2 : a carving or sculpture made in the manner of a cameo. 3 : a usually brief literary or filmic piece that brings into delicate or sharp relief the character of a person, place, or event. 4 : a small theatrical role usually performed by a well-known actor and often limited to a single scene; broadly: any brief appearance.