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

As the TV cameras continued to roll, the deputy PM responded with a left hook.

From BBC

She also had to have a gastric tube fitted, lines inserted to allow nutrition, and multiple endoscopies, in which a camera is inserted into the body to investigate a condition.

From BBC

The team employed a 24-hour setup of seven cameras recording a herd of Swedish Holstein and Swedish Red cows.

From Science Daily

Actually, a little earlier than that, we did a camera test.

From Los Angeles Times

Glen Powell — “Hit Man” “You know how much ‘Sing Sing’ director Greg Kwedar trusts and values Colman Domingo by the number of times he lets the camera linger on his expression.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• camcorder