When most people hear the word screen the first definition that comes to mind is the material that is designed to help block other objects. An example of this would be a screen that goes in a window. Although, that may be the most common definition, there are many other ways that the word screen can be used. Most people don�t really think about how many different definitions there can be for one word and most people don�t know how long words have been around.
The first true meaning of the word screen dates clear back to the 1393. The definition was a piece of furniture consisting usually of an upright board or of a frame hung with leather, canvas, cloth, tapestry, or paper, or of two or more such boards or frame hinged together. (� Screen� Oxford English Dictionary 2nd Edition pg. 722) An example of this definition would be a fire screen. Also, when the word first originated, it was spelled different ways. Some ways it was spelled were screne, skrene, skeine, and schreen.
When I think of the work screen, sports related topics come to mind. Throughout the sports vocabulary, the word screen is used. Some sports that the word screen is used in are basketball, baseball, hockey, football, soccer, and cricket. In cricket the word screen means an erection of canvas or wood placed behind the bowler, outside the playing area, to provide a white background and a shield from moving objects behind the bowler�s arm. (�Screen� Oxford English Dictionary 2nd edition) In the basketball sense it is used to describe a maneuver of the offensive team is which one player, by moving in front of an opponent, �screens�, or �screens out� that opponent from his teammates. A screen generally is worked in an effort to free one of the offensive team members for a shot at the basket. (�Screen� Oxford English Dictionary 2nd edition pg. 723) The sports side of the word screen came about in the early 60�s. In the book What�s What in Sports The Visual Glossary of the Sports World, the definition of screen in soccer means an offensive player tries to block the goalies view, or screen him. (Pg. 108)
The word screen is also popular in other countries. A folding screen may shield a person from view or drafts or divides a room. Chinese screens, generally tall and many paneled are of painted silk, embroidered silk or tapestry carved wood inlaid with jade or porcelain or mused or painted lacquer. Japanese screens usually are low with up to six panels or pairs are painted scenes. European screens are oriental imports or of word panels painted leather or paper, embroidery tapestry or fabric to match other furniture. (�Screen� Encyclopedia America International edition pg. 437)
The most common use of the word screen today is dealing with computers. Since about 1980, the word screen has closely been tied in with computer vocabulary. Examples are screen print; screen orientated, screen editors, and a screen dump. These are just a few words in the computer world that the word screen is associated with.
As you can see the word screen is such a diverse word and can be used in many different contexts and situations. Obviously the word screen is not the only word where this diversity lies. That is why the English language is great but at yet the same time so hard to understand and learn. A words meaning just depends on the person using the word and the situation. I think all meanings should be printed in the dictionary because it gives people a better understanding of the English language and better use of vocabulary.