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camera obscura

noun cam·era ob·scu·ra \ -əb-ˈskyu̇r-ə \

Definition of camera obscura

: a darkened enclosure having an aperture usually provided with a lens through which light from external objects enters to form an image of the objects on the opposite surface

Recent Examples of camera obscura from the Web

Obscurus Projectum Sandra Gibson, and Luis Recoder, art installation involving large-scale camera obscura.

— chronicle staff report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Kids listings," 25 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'camera obscura.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of camera obscura

New Latin, literally, dark chamber

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1716

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Learn More about camera obscura

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about camera obscura

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