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 cam·er·ae [kam, -, uh, -ree].

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. -erae-əˌriː a judge's private room
5. in camera
   1. law relating to a hearing from which members of the public are excluded
   2. in private
6. off camera
   not within an area being filmed
7. on camera
   (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 ¹fordef 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. in camera,
   1. Law. in the privacy of a judge's chambers.
   2. privately.
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. on camera, being filmed or televised by a live camera:

   Be sure to look alert when you are on camera.

Example Sentences

But what about the hi-tech cameras, the drones, and the extra police, I asked?

From BBC

“Speak of the devil,” he laughs, flashing his iPhone screen at the computer camera for me to see.

From Los Angeles Times

After a further testing 30 minutes of extra time, Beck, camera in hand, made his way pitchside with his assistant to prepare for the penalty kicks despite neither having official access.

From BBC

At the gym, we noticed a strange atmosphere - with a suspicious number of his own cameras pointed at us.

From BBC

The authors released a heap of the seeds down an inclined plane while a camera recorded their descent to analyze their speed and the dynamics of their movement.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• camcorder