camera obscura

2 definitions found

camera obscura - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Camera obscura \Cam"e*ra ob*scu"ra\ [LL. camera chamber + L.
     obscurus, obscura, dark.] (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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]

camera obscura - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  camera obscura
      n 1: a darkened enclosure in which images of outside objects are
           projected through a small aperture or lens onto a facing
           surface