flatscreen
UK[ˈflætskriːn]US[ˈflætskriːn]
adj
having a flat, thin screen, especially one using lcd or plasma technology
n
a television or computer monitor with a flat, thin screen
Morpheme Breakdown
flat
screen
flat
level
screen
display surface
Etymology
the compound word "flatscreen" is a modern technological term formed from two english words of distinct origins. "flat" derives from old norse, entering middle english with the sense of a level, smooth surface. "screen" has a more complex journey, originating from a frankish word for a shield, entering english via old french with meanings related to protection and concealment. the specific technological sense of a display surface emerged in the 20th century. the combination "flatscreen" logically describes a display device whose viewing surface is physically flat and thin, contrasting sharply with the bulky, curved cathode-ray tube (crt) screens it replaced, thus linking the ancient concept of a level plane with modern electronic visualization.
Analysis
Structure: flat (level) + screen (display surface)
flat (from old norse 'flatr', meaning level and even); screen (from middle english 'screne', from old north french 'escren', meaning a protective partition or display surface)
Examples
we replaced our old television with a new flatscreen model.
the office is equipped with several large flatscreen monitors for presentations.
the flatscreen on the wall was so thin it looked like a picture frame.