skri:n n. & v. --n. 1 a fixed or
movable upright partition for separating, concealing, or sheltering
from draughts or
excessive heat or
light. 2 a
thing used as a
shelter,
esp. from
observation. 3 a a
measure adopted for concealment. b
the protection afforded by
this (under the screen of night). 4 a a
blank usu.
white or
silver surface on
which a photographic
image is projected. b (prec. by the) the
cinema industry. 5 the surface of a cathode-ray
tube or
similar electronic device, esp. of a
television,
VDU,
etc., on which images
appear. 6 = sight-screen. 7 =
WINDSCREEN. 8 a
frame with fine
wire netting to
keep out flies, mosquitoes, etc. 9
Physics a
body intercepting light, heat,
electric or
magnetic induction, etc., in a
physical apparatus. 10 Photog. a
piece of ground
glass in a
camera for focusing. 11 a
large sieve or riddle, esp. for sorting
grain,
coal, etc.,
into sizes. 12 a
system of checking for the
presence or
absence of a
disease,
ability,
attribute, etc. 13
Printing a
transparent finely-ruled
plate or
film used in half-tone
reproduction. 14
Mil. a body of troops, ships, etc., detached to
warn of the presence of an
enemy force. --v.tr. 1 (often foll. by from) a
afford shelter
to; hide
partly or completely. b
protect from
detection,
censure, etc. 2 (foll. by off)
shut off or hide
behind a screen. 3 a
show (a film etc.) on a screen. b
broadcast (a television programme). 4
prevent from causing, or protect from,
electrical interference. 5 a test (a
person or group) for the presence or absence of a disease. b check on (a person) for the presence or absence of a
quality, esp. reliability or
loyalty. 6 pass (grain, coal, etc.)
through a screen. øscreen printing a process like stencilling with
ink forced through a prepared sheet of fine
material (orig. silk). screen test an
audition for a
part in a cinema film. øøscreenable adj. screener n. [ME f. ONF escren, escran:
cf. OHG skrank barrier]
