camera

¹

[kam-er-uh, kam-ruh]

noun

1. a device for capturing a photographic image or recording a video, using film or digital memory.

2. (in a television transmitting apparatus) the device in which the picture to be televised is formed before it is changed into electric impulses.

adjective

1. Printing.,  camera-ready.

camera

²

[kam-er-uh]

noun

plural

camerae 

1. a judge's private office.

camera

/ ˈkæmrə, ˈkæmərə /

noun

1. an optical device consisting of a lens system set in a light-proof construction inside which a light-sensitive film or plate can be positioned See also cine camera digital camera

2. television the equipment used to convert the optical image of a scene into the corresponding electrical signals

3. See camera obscura

4. a judge's private room

5. 1. law relating to a hearing from which members of the public are excluded

   2. in private

6. not within an area being filmed

7. (esp of an actor) being filmed

Word History and Origins

Origin of camera¹

First recorded in 1730–40; shortening of camera obscura ( def. ); 1840-45 camera ¹ for def. 1; utimately from Latin camera “vaulted room, vault”; see camera ² ( def. )

Origin of camera²

First recorded in 1630–40; for earlier sense “vaulted room,” from Latin, from Greek kamára “vault, vaulted room”; see chamber ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of camera¹

C18: from Latin: vault, from Greek kamara

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on camera, being filmed or televised by a live camera.

   Be sure to look alert when you are on camera.

2. off camera,

   1. out of the range of a video camera, as a television or motion picture camera.

      The stunt woman was waiting just off camera for her cue to enter the scene.

   2. (of an actor) in one’s private rather than professional life.

      The two co-stars are best friends off camera.

3. in camera,

   1. Law. in the privacy of a judge's chambers.

   2. privately.

Example Sentences

Instead of a social media app that opens to a feed of content, Snapchat opens to a camera.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While Loktev rarely inserts herself into this epic, we feel her admiration from behind the camera.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The breakthrough came when they traced the car to a local pub, where cameras had also captured the group in the hours before the crash.

Read more on BBC

One of the more controversial safety mandates is for auto-braking technology systems, which use sensors, cameras and software to detect potential crashes and automatically apply the brakes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Shortly after the theft, it was revealed by the Louvre's director that the only camera monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was pointing away from a balcony the thieves climbed over to break in.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• camcorder