A person or device that examines, filters, or tests something to determine suitability or detect problems.
From Middle English 'screne' derived from Old French 'escrene', originally meaning a fire screen or partition. The sense of 'examining' developed from the idea of filtering or sifting through a screen-like barrier.
The concept of screening originally came from literal screens used to separate grain from chaff, making it a perfect metaphor for how we separate desirable from undesirable elements in any process. Modern airport security and movie preview 'screenings' both trace back to this ancient agricultural practice.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.