The word 'storyboard' is a modern compound, originating in the film industry of the 1930s. It logically combines 'story', a term for a narrative sequence with roots in Latin 'historia' (inquiry, history), with 'board', a flat surface for display from Old English. The compound's formation follows a transparent pattern where 'board' metaphorically extends from a physical plank to a planning surface, upon which the visual narrative ('story') is laid out. Thus, the term's literal sense of "a board for a story" perfectly captures its function as a visual planning tool for cinematic narratives.

Structure: story + board story: From Old English 'stōrīg' (history, narrative), ultimately from Latin 'historia'. Functional role: The core semantic element, denoting a narrative or account. board: From Old English 'bord' (plank, flat surface). Functional role: The structural element, denoting a flat piece of material on which something is displayed or planned.