cam
UK: kæm | US: kæm
n. 1. A projecting part of a rotating wheel or shaft that strikes a lever at one or more points on its circular path, converting circular motion into linear motion.
n. 2. (Informal) Short for "camera."
The word "cam" originates from Dutch kam, meaning "comb" or "cog," referring to the teeth-like projections on gears or wheels. It entered English in the 18th century as a mechanical term, specifically describing the part of a rotating device that interacts with another component to produce motion. The informal usage as shorthand for "camera" emerged later, likely due to phonetic similarity and colloquial abbreviation.
The engine's cam controls the timing of the valve openings.
He adjusted the cam to improve the machine's efficiency.
(Informal) "Don’t forget to bring your cam to the party!"
The mechanic inspected the worn cam for defects.
This design uses a dual-cam system for smoother operation.