camber

[kam-ber] /ˈkæm bər/
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1.
to arch slightly; bend or curve upward in the middle.
noun
2.
a slight arching, upward curve, or convexity, as of the deck of a ship.
3.
a slightly arching piece of timber.
4.
Aeronautics. the rise of the curve of an airfoil, usually expressed as the ratio of the rise to the length of the chord of the airfoil.
5.
Automotive. the outward or inward tilt of a wheel, called positive when the top tilts outward and negative when it tilts inward, measured as the angle, in degrees, between the vertical and a plane through the circumference of the tire.
Origin
1610-20; < Middle French (north) cambre bent < Latin camur hooked, curved
Related forms
uncambered, adjective
Examples from the web for camber
  • Reverse camber rocker makes it almost impossible slip out or catch a stray edge-even in the frostiest conditions.
  • Traditional in-track cross-country skis have a more pronounced double camber for better kick and glide.
  • The camber of an airfoil is the curve of its upper and lower surfaces.
  • The term upper camber refers to the camber of the upper surface of the airfoil.
  • Beam camber information shall appear on the plans and shown in inches.
  • camber values are computed based on initial camber, initial camber adjusted for creep, and final camber.
  • camber tolerance is often not given enough forethought by designers in prefabricated bridge projects.
  • Primary examples include horizontally curved bridge girders and camber to compensate for vertical curve and dead load deflections.
  • camber, however, continues to grow after the initial strand release.
  • Joint block detail should be used if camber will not provide desired inlet elevation.
British Dictionary definitions for camber

camber

/ˈkæmbə/
noun
1.
a slight upward curve to the centre of the surface of a road, ship's deck, etc
2.
another name for bank2 (sense 7)
3.
an outward inclination of the front wheels of a road vehicle so that they are slightly closer together at the bottom than at the top
4.
Also called hog. a small arching curve of a beam or girder provided to lessen deflection and improve appearance
5.
aerofoil curvature expressed by the ratio of the maximum height of the aerofoil mean line to its chord
verb
6.
to form or be formed with a surface that curves upwards to its centre
Word Origin
C17: from Old French (northern dialect) cambre curved, from Latin camurus; related to camerachamber
Word Origin and History for camber
n.

1610s, nautical term, from Old French cambre, chambre "bent," from Latin camurum (nominative camur) "crooked, arched;" related to camera.