cam

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

cam, n. [Dan. kam comb, ridge; or cf. W., Gael., and Ir., cam bent. See 1st Comb.].

•  A turning or sliding piece which, by the shape of its periphery or face, or a groove in its surface, imparts variable or intermittent motion to, or receives such motion from, a rod, lever, or block brought into sliding or rolling contact with it.  [1913 Webster]

  " Cams are much used in machinery involving complicated, and irregular movements, as in the sewing machine, pin machine, etc."  [1913 Webster]
•  A ridge or mound of earth.  Wright.  [1913 Webster]

Cam wheel (Mach.), a wheel with one or more projections (cams) or depressions upon its periphery or upon its face; one which is set or shaped eccentrically, so that its revolutions impart a varied, reciprocating, or intermittent motion.

cam, a. [See Kam.].

 Crooked.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

cam, n. a projection on a rotating part in machinery, shaped to impart reciprocal or variable motion to the part in contact with it.

Etymology

Du. kam comb: cf. Du. kamrad cog-wheel

ROGET THESAURUS

cam

Instrument

N instrument, machinery, mechanism, engineering, instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill, air engine, caloric engine, heat engine, gear, tackle, tackling, rig, rigging, apparatus, appliances, plant, materiel, harness, trappings, fittings, accouterments, barde, equipment, equipmentage, appointments, furniture, upholstery, chattels, paraphernalia, mechanical powers, lever, leverage, mechanical advantage, crow, crowbar, handspike, gavelock, jemmy, jimmy, arm, limb, wing, oar, paddle, pulley, wheel and axle, wheelwork, clockwork, wheels within wheels, pinion, crank, winch, cam, pedal, capstan, wheel, inclined plane, wedge, screw, spring, mainspring, can hook, glut, heald, heddle, jenny, parbuckle, sprag, water wheel, handle, hilt, haft, shaft, heft, shank, blade, trigger, tiller, helm, treadle, key, turnscrew, screwdriver, knocker, hammer, edge tool, borer, vice, teeth, nail, rope, peg, support, spoon, arms, oar, cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph, instrumental, mechanical, machinal, brachial.