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Webster 1913 Edition


Cam

Cam

(kăm)
,
Noun.
[Dan.
kam
comb, ridge; or cf. W., Gael., and Ir.,
cam
bent. See 1st
Comb
.]
1.
(Med.)
(a)
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.
(b)
A curved wedge, movable about an axis, used for forcing or clamping two pieces together.
(c)
A projecting part of a wheel or other moving piece so shaped as to give alternate or variable motion to another piece against which it acts.
Cams
are much used in machinery involving complicated, and irregular movements, as in the sewing machine, pin machine, etc.
2.
A ridge or mound of earth.
[Prov. Eng.]
Wright.
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

,
Adj.
[See
Kam
.]
Crooked.
[Obs.]

Definition 2024


cầm

cầm

Vietnamese

Noun

cầm

  1. (music) zither, string instrument
Derived terms

Etymology 2

Sino-Vietnamese word from

Verb

cầm

  1. to hold, to keep
  2. to capture, to seize, to arrest