- screen (n.) - mid-14c., "upright piece of furniture providing
protection from heat of a fire, drafts, etc.," probably from a
shortened (Anglo-French?) variant of Old North French escren,
Old French escran "a screen against heat" (early 14c.), perhaps
from Middle Dutch scherm "screen, cover," or Frankish *skrank
"barrier," from a Germanic root related to Old High German
skirm, skerm "protection" (cf. skirmish). Meaning "net-wire
frame used in windows and doors" is recorded from 1895. Meaning
"flat horizontal 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 (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.