n. A covered framework, partition, or curtain, either movable or fixed, which serves to protect from the heat of the sun or of a fire, from rain, wind, or cold, or from other inconvenience or danger, or to shelter from observation, conceal, shut off the view, or secure privacy: as, a fire-screen; a folding screen; a window-screen, etc.; hence, such a covered framework, curtain, etc., used for some other purpose: as, a screen upon which images may be cast by a magic lantern; in general, any shelter or means of concealment.n. Specifically, in architecture:n. An ornamental partition of wood, stone, or metal, usually so placed in a church or other building as to shut out an aisle from the choir, a private chapel from a transept, the nave from the choir, the high altar from the east end, an altar-tomb from a public passage, or to fill any similar purpose. See perclose, and cut under organ-screen.n. In some medieval and similar halls, a partition extending across the lower end, forming a lobby within the main entrance-doors, and having ofteu a gallery above.n. An architecturally decorated wall inclosing a courtyard or the like. Such a feature as the entire facade of a church may be considered as a screen when it does not correspond with the interior structure, as is commonly the case in Italian and frequent in English churches, but is merely a decorative mask for the building behind it. See cut under reredos.n. A kind of riddle or sieve.n. A large scarf forming a kind of plaid.n. A screen supported on cross-rails, feet, or the like, enabling it to stand firmly, and with hinged flaps which when opened increase its width.To shelter or protect from inconvenience, injury, danger, or observation; cover; conceal.To sift or riddle by passing through a screen: as, to screen coal.Synonyms To defend, hide, mask, cloak, shroud.n. n. n. A transparent plate having ruled upon its surface lines, parallel or crossed, placed immediately in front of the sensitive plate in the manufacture of a half-tone negative, in order to break up the shadows by diffraction.