Webcam
The term "webcam" is a compound noun, a portmanteau of "World Wide Web" and "camera." It identifies a specific type of digital video device whose primary function is to capture and transmit images or video in real time over a computer network. Its classification as a noun is central, as it refers to a tangible piece of hardware, a distinct object with a defined technological purpose. As a hardware noun, it describes a peripheral device that typically includes a lens, an image sensor (commonly a CMOS sensor), and supporting electronics for processing and compressing video data. These devices are engineered for connectivity, connecting to a host computer or network via interfaces like USB or integrated Wi-Fi. They can be standalone units or, more frequently, components embedded within the chassis of laptops, tablets, and all-in-one computers. The technical specifications of this hardware classsuch as resolution, frame rate, and field of vieware optimized for its principal applications in live communication and streaming rather than high-fidelity media archival. ...