Căm, n.
n. [W. cam, crooked, bent, a bend, Ir. & Gael. cam, crooked, bent, bent.]
Sense 1. (Mach.) A projecting part of a wheel or other moving piece, so shaped as to give an alternating or variable motion of any desired velocity, extent, or direction, to another piece pressing against it, by sliding or rolling contact. It is much used in machines involving complicated and irregular movements, as in the sewing-machine, pin-machine, &c.
Cams. a, cam-wheel; b, heart-cam; c, cam-ring bag.
Sense 2. A ridge or mound of earth. [Prov. Eng.]
Wright.
