Cam

[W. cam, bent, crooked.] ( Machinery.) A contrivance for converting a uniform rotatory motion into a varied rectilinear motion. The end of a rod which is free to move only in the direction of its length is held in contact, by the action of a spring, or weight, with the edge of an irregularly shaped ma , which revolves uniformly upon an axis. A varied motion is thus communicated to the rod, which carries with it the machinery by which the motion is to be applied. This contrivance is much used in the machinery for lace-making. See ROSE-ENGINE. Camach'o, or Camax'o, in Brazil, prov. of Santa Catharina, a series of locks connected with one another by natural canals. One of them is large, the others small. They are commonly named Jaguar una, Guru paba, and Santa Martha. Camaieu, (ka-ma'yōō,) n. [Fr.] A stone engraved in relief. See CAMEO. (Painting.) A painting executed in different shades of one color is said to be en camaieu. This term may be applied to drawings in sepia and Indian ink, and even to those in chalk and pencil. It is synonymous with the expre ion "monochrome;" but it was also originally applied to paintings in which more than one color appeared, although one particular tint prevailed, and almost concealed the others.