clipboard
UK[ˈklɪp.bɔːd]US[ˈklɪp.bɔːrd]
n
a small board with a clip at the top for holding papers and providing a portable writing surface.
n
a temporary storage area in a computer's memory for holding text or other data that has been cut or copied.
Morpheme Breakdown
clip
board
clip
fasten
board
flat piece
Etymology
the word 'clipboard' is a modern english compound, transparently formed from two native germanic elements. the first element, 'clip', descends from the old english verb clyppan, which originally meant "to embrace" or "to clasp with the arms", a sense that naturally evolved to denote any firm fastening action, as with a metal clip. the second element, 'board', comes from old english bord, referring to a flat, rigid piece of material like wood. the compound logically describes a flat surface equipped with a fastening device. this literal meaning for a physical object was later extended into computing during the late 20th century, where the 'clipboard' metaphorically serves as a temporary holding area for digital data, conceptually 'fastening' information until it is pasted elsewhere.
Analysis
Structure: clip (fasten) + board (flat piece)
clip: from old english clyppan meaning "to embrace, clasp", functioning as a verb root indicating the action of fastening or holding.
board: from old english bord meaning "a plank, flat surface", functioning as a noun root indicating the object's material and form.
Examples
the construction supervisor carried a clipboard to take notes on-site.
copy the selected text to the clipboard before pasting it into the new document.
she attached the form to her clipboard with the built-in metal clip.