1a fixed or movable upright partition used to divide a room, give shelter from draughts, heat, or light, or to provide concealment or privacy:the Special Branch man remained hidden behind the screen for prosecution witnessesa room with a red carpet and screens with oriental decorations
a thing providing concealment or protection:his jeep was discreetly parked behind a screen of treesthe article is using science as a screen for unexamined prejudice
[often with modifier] Architecture a partition of carved wood or stone separating the nave of a church from the chancel, choir, or sanctuary:the chancel screen retains two sections of the original oak arcadingSee also rood screen.
a windscreen of a motor vehicle:a branch whipped across the screen and tore off one of the wipers
a frame with fine wire netting used in a window or doorway to keep out mosquitoes and other flying insects:gauze screens fitted to the doors and windows were tightly closed
2the surface of a cathode ray tube or similar electronic device, especially that of a television, computer, or monitor, on which images and data are displayed:a television screen [mass noun]:a computerized reservation system allows a travel agent to search on screen for a suitable flight
a blank, typically white or silver surface on which a photographic image is projected:two historical swashbucklers are due to fill cinema screens this year
(the screen) films or television; the film industry:she’s a star of the track as well as the screen
the data or images displayed on a computer screen:pressing the F1 key at any time will display a help screen
Photography a flat piece of ground glass on which the image formed by a camera lens is focused.
3 Printing a transparent finely ruled plate or film used in half-tone reproduction.
4 [in singular] a system of checking a person or thing for the presence or absence of something, typically a disease:services offered by the centre include a health screen for people who have just joined the company
5a part of an electrical or other instrument which protects it from or prevents it causing electromagnetic interference.
Electronics (also screen grid) a grid placed between the control grid and the anode of a valve to reduce the capacitance between these electrodes.
6 Military a detachment of troops or ships detailed to cover the movements of the main body:HMS Prince Leopold and HMS Prince Charles sailed for Shetland with a screen of four destroyers
7a large sieve or riddle, especially one for sorting substances such as grain or coal into different sizes:the material retained on each sieve screen is weighed in turn
ზმნა
Universal
1conceal, protect, or shelter (someone or something) with a screen or something forming a screen:her hair swung across to screen her facea high hedge screened all of the front from passers-by
(screen something off) separate something from something else with or as if with a screen:an area had been screened off as a waiting room
protect (someone) from something dangerous or unpleasant:in my country a man of my rank would be screened completely from any risk of attack
prevent from causing or protect from electromagnetic interference:ensure that your microphone leads are properly screened from hum pickup
2show (a film or video) or broadcast (a television programme):the show is to be screened by the BBC later this year
3test (a person or substance) for the presence or absence of a disease:outpatients were screened for cervical cancer
check on or investigate (someone), typically to ascertain whether they are suitable for or can be trusted in a particular situation or job:all prospective presidential candidates would have to be screened by a preselection committee
evaluate or analyse (something) for its suitability for a particular purpose or application:only one per cent of rainforest plants have been screened for medical use
(screen someone/thing out) exclude someone or something after evaluation or investigation:anti-spam software can screen out large amounts of unwanted email
4pass (a substance such as grain or coal) through a large sieve or screen, especially so as to sort it into different sizes:granulated asphalt—manufactured to 40 mm down or screened to 28 mm & 14 mm down
5 Printing project (a photograph or other image) through a transparent ruled plate so as to be able to reproduce it as a half-tone.
