screen
pronunciation
How to pronounce screen in British English:
UK [skriːn]
How to pronounce screen in American English:
US [skriːn]
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- Noun:
- a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
- something that keeps things out or hinders sight
- display on the surface of the large end of a cathode-ray tube on which is electronically created
- a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
- protective covering consisting of a metallic netting mounted in a frame and covering windows or doors (especially for protection against insects)
- a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles
- a door that is a screen to keep insects from entering a building through the open door
- partition consisting of a decorative frame or panel that serves to divide a space
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- Verb:
- test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
- examine methodically
- examine in order to test suitability
- project onto a screen for viewing
- prevent from entering
- separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff
- protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm
Word Origin
- screen
- screen: [15] Screen goes back ultimately to a Frankish *skrank ‘barrier’, a distant ancestor of German schrank ‘cupboard’. This was taken over into Old Northern French as escran, and it was a variant form of this, escren, that became English screen.
- screen (n.)
- mid-14c., "upright piece of furniture providing protection from heat of a fire, drafts, etc.," probably from a shortened (Anglo-French? compare Anglo-Latin screna) variant of Old North French escren, Old French escran "fire-screen" (early 14c.), perhaps from Middle Dutch scherm "screen, cover, shield," or Frankish *skrank "barrier," from Proto-Germanic *skerm- (cognates: Old High German skirm, skerm "protection," from PIE *(s)ker- (1) "to cut" (see shear (v.)). Meaning "net-wire frame used in windows and doors" is recorded from 1859. Meaning "flat vertical surface for reception of projected images" is from 1810, originally in reference to magic lantern shows; later of movies. Transferred sense of "cinema world collectively" is attested from 1914; hence screen test (1918), etc. Screen saver first attested 1990. Screen printing recorded from 1918.
- screen (v.)
- "to shield from punishment, to conceal," late 15c., from screen (n.). Meaning "examine systematically for suitability" is from 1943; sense of "to release a movie" is from 1915. Related: Screened; screening.
Example
- 1. The screen becomes part of our identity .
- 2. The shuttle 's control panel has a touch screen .
- 3. At the cinema they can enjoy the big screen and the surround sound .
- 4. It has an absolutely superb screen .
- 5. A digital clock ticks loudly on the screen .