cam

n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Cams are much used in machinery involving complicated, and irregular movements, as in the sewing machine, pin machine, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A ridge or mound of earth. [ Prov. Eng. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a common thorny tropical American tree (Pithecellobium dulce) having terminal racemes of yellow flowers followed by sickle-shaped or circinate edible pods and yielding good timber and a yellow dye and mucilaginous gum.
Syn. -- manila tamarind, huamachil, wild tamarind. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F.; of unknown origin. Cf. Cameo. ] 1. A cameo. [ Obs. ] Crabb. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Fine Arts) Painting in shades of one color; monochrome. Mollett. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. camail (cf. It. camaglio), fr. L. caput head + source of E. mail. ] 1. (Ancient Armor) A neck guard of chain mall, hanging from the bascinet or other headpiece. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A hood of other material than mail; esp. (Eccl.), a hood worn in church services, -- the amice, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. See Comrade. ] Comradeship and loyalty.

The spirit of camaraderie is strong among these riders of the plains. W. A. Fraser. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n. [ Pg. ] Chamber; house; -- used in and See Legislature. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n. [ NL. fr. Gr. &unr_; a vaulted chamber + &unr_; lizard. ] (Paleon.) A genus of gigantic American Jurassic dinosaurs, having large cavities in the bodies of the dorsal vertebræ. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Sp., a small room. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The private audience chamber of a king. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A company of secret and irresponsible advisers, as of a king; a cabal or clique. [ 1913 Webster ]