camera lucida

noun

cam·​era lu·​ci·​da ˈkam-rə-ˈlü-sə-də 

ˈka-mə-rə-

: an instrument that by means of a prism or mirrors and often a microscope causes a virtual image of an object to appear as if projected upon a plane surface so that an outline may be traced

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, light chamber

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

camera lucida

noun

cam·​era lu·​ci·​da ˌkam-(ə-)rə-ˈlü-səd-ə 

: an instrument that by means of a prism or mirrors and often a microscope causes a virtual image of an object to appear as if projected upon a plane surface so that an outline may be traced