n. 1 an apparatus for taking photographs, consisting of a lightproof box to hold light-sensitive film, a lens, and a shutter mechanism, either for still photographs or for motion-picture film. 2 Telev. a piece of equipment which forms an optical image and converts it into electrical impulses for transmission or storage. camera obscura an internally darkened box with an aperture for projecting the image of an external object on a screen inside it. camera-ready Printing (of copy) in a form suitable for immediate photographic reproduction. in camera 1 Law in a judge's private room. 2 privately; not in public. on camera (esp. of an actor or actress) being filmed or televised at a particular moment.
[ orig. = chamber f. L camera f. Gk kamara vault etc. ]