See Also:

cam(2) (iou)



cam noun. [kam] L18.
[Dutch kam comb, as in kamrad toothed wheel, cog-wheel.]
A projecting part of a wheel etc. in machinery, used to impart reciprocal or variable motion to another part with which it makes sliding contact as it rotates.
Comb.: camshaft a shaft carrying a cam or cams, esp. (in an internal-combustion engine) for operating the cylinder valves (overhead cam: see OVERHEAD adjective 1).