Link Centre Dictionary

screen

UK/ˈskɹiːn/ US/ˈskɹ̈ʷɪi̯n/ common
noun (8) verb (7)

noun

1.

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

Synonyms
2.

something that keeps things out or hinders sight

  • “they had just moved in and had not put up blinds yet”
Synonyms
3.

display on the surface of the large end of a cathode-ray tube on which is electronically created

Synonyms
4.

a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

  • “they crouched behind the screen”
  • “under cover of darkness”
Synonyms
5.

protective covering consisting of a metallic netting mounted in a frame and covering windows or doors (especially for protection against insects)

6.

a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles

Synonyms
7.

a door that is a screen to keep insects from entering a building through the open door

  • “he heard the screen slam as she left”
Synonyms
8.

partition consisting of a decorative frame or panel that serves to divide a space

verb

1.

test or examine for the presence of disease or infection

  • “screen the blood for the HIV virus”
Synonyms
2.

examine methodically

  • “screen the suitcases”
3.

examine in order to test suitability

  • “screen these samples”
  • “screen the job applicants”
Synonyms
4.

project onto a screen for viewing

  • “screen a film”
5.

prevent from entering

  • “block out the strong sunlight”
Synonyms
6.

separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff

Synonyms
7.

protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm

Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English scren, screne (“windscreen, firescreen”), from Anglo-Norman escren (“firescreen, the tester of a bed”), Old French escren, escrein, escran (modern French écran (“screen”)), from Middle Dutch scherm, from Old Dutch skirm, from Proto-West Germanic *skirmi, from Proto-Germanic *skirmiz (“fur, shelter, covering, screen”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to cut, divide”). Cognate with Dutch scherm (“screen”), German Schirm (“screen”). Doublet of scherm. An alternative etymology derives Old French escren, escran from Old Dutch *scranc (“barrier”) (compare Middle Dutch schranc, schranke (“palisade, trellis, grid”), German Schrank (“cupboard, cabinet”), German Schranke (“fence”)), from Proto-West Germanic *skrank, from Proto-Germanic *skrankaz.

Phrases

  • screen in terms derived from screen (verb)
  • screen out terms derived from screen (verb)

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

Parts

Part of

Entails

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.