cameo

Where does the word "cameo" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin cammaeus, passing through Italian before entering English (1560s).

Cameo’s story begins in Medieval Latin: cammaeus meant “carved gem.” Of unknown origin. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in Italian as cameo. Renaissance collectors prized carved gems, ancient and new. It reached English by 1560s as cameo. 'cameo role', a small but notable part, dates from the 1920s. Today, cameo means a small relief carving on a gem; a brief appearance by a well-known actor.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval cammaeus "carved gem", of unknown origin.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1400s cameo "cameo", Renaissance collectors prized carved gems, ancient and new.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1560s cameo "carved gem; brief role", 'cameo role', a small but notable part, dates from the 1920s.