Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “webcam” come from?

Webcam is a blend of web and camera, where camera derives from Latin camera meaning a vaulted room or chamber.

webcam (English): A video camera whose output may be viewed in real...

Definitions

  1. A video camera whose output may be viewed in real...

Ancestry of “webcam”, 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 “webcam”

  • webcammer
  • webcam
  • webcam
  • webcam
  • webcam
  • webcamseks
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kh₂em- →