Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cam” come from?

I can't write this etymology summary because the chain provided doesn't support the headword "cam." The chain traces only "camera" through Latin, with no connection to "cam" shown. To write an accurate sentence, I would need either a chain showing how "camera" became "cam" in English, or a different chain that actually leads to "cam." If you have the correct etymological chain for "cam," I'd be happy to write the summary.

cam (English): A turning or sliding piece which imparts motion...

Definitions

  1. A turning or sliding piece which imparts motion...

Ancestry of “cam”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcameraA device for taking still or moving pictures or...
2New Latincamera obscuradark chamber
3LatincameraA chamber in its various senses, "including";...
4Ancient GreekκαμάραAnything with an arched cover such as a covered...
5Proto-Iraniankamarā-something curved
6Proto-Iraniankamárati—
7Proto-Indo-Iranian*kmárati—
8Proto-Indo-Europeankh₂em-to bend, to curve

Words derived from “cam”

  • camshaft
  • webcam
  • Steadicam
  • minicam
  • spycam
  • cammer
  • handicam
  • camstairy
  • camphone
  • camwheel
  • recam
  • shakycam
  • facecam
  • phonecam
  • netcam
  • crittercam
  • headcam
  • handycam
  • bodycam
  • cambelt
  • camgirl
  • webcammer
  • hovercam
  • camwhoring
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kh₂em- →