cam·era ob·scu·ra /-əbˈskjʊrə/



 Cam·e·ra n.; pl. E. Cameras L. Camerae   A chamber, or instrument having a chamber.  Specifically: The camera obscura when used in photography. See Camera, and Camera obscura.
 Bellows camera. See under Bellows.
 In camera Law, in a judge's chamber, that is, privately; as, a judge hears testimony which is not fit for the open court in camera.
 Panoramic camera, or Pantascopic camera, a photographic camera in which the lens and sensitized plate revolve so as to expose adjacent parts of the plate successively to the light, which reaches it through a narrow vertical slit; -- used in photographing broad landscapes.

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 Cam·e·ra ob·scu·ra  Opt.
 1. An apparatus in which the images of external objects, formed by a convex lens or a concave mirror, are thrown on a paper or other white surface placed in the focus of the lens or mirror within a darkened chamber, or box, so that the outlines may be traced.
 2. Photog. An apparatus in which the image of an external object or objects is, by means of lenses, thrown upon a sensitized plate or surface placed at the back of an extensible darkened box or chamber variously modified; -- commonly called simply the camera.

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 camera obscura
      n : a darkened enclosure in which images of outside objects are
          projected through a small aperture or lens onto a facing
          surface