camera obscura

[ ob-skyoo r-uh ]
/ ɒbˈskyʊər ə /

noun

a darkened boxlike device in which images of external objects, received through an aperture, as with a convex lens, are exhibited in their natural colors on a surface arranged to receive them: used for sketching, exhibition purposes, etc.

Origin of camera obscura

1660–70; < New Latin: dark chamber; see camera1, obscure

Example sentences from the Web for camera obscura

British Dictionary definitions for camera obscura

camera obscura
/ (ɒbˈskjʊərə) /

noun

a darkened chamber or small building in which images of outside objects are projected onto a flat surface by a convex lens in an aperture Sometimes shortened to: camera

Word Origin for camera obscura

New Latin: dark chamber