touch-screen (n.)

mid-14c., screne, "upright piece of furniture providing protection from heat of a fire, drafts, etc.," probably from a shortened (Anglo-French? compare Anglo-Latin screna) variant of Old North French escren, Old French escran "fire-screen, tester of a bed" (early 14c.). This is of uncertain origin, though probably from a Germanic source, perhaps from Middle Dutch scherm "screen, cover, shield," or Frankish *skrank "barrier," from Proto-Germanic *skirmjanan (source also of Old High German skirm, skerm "protection," Old Frisian skirma "protect, defend;" from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut").

The sense of "anything interposed to conceal from view" is by c. 1600. The meaning "net-wire frame used in windows and doors" is recorded from 1859. Meaning "flat vertical surface for reception of projected images" is from 1810, originally in reference to magic lantern shows; later of movies. Transferred sense of "cinema world collectively" is attested from 1914; hence screen test "filmed test of performing abilities" (1918), etc.

The meaning "small fluorescent display on a TV set" is by 1946, extended to the display on a computer monitor by 1970, hence the monitor itself. The computer screen saver is attested by 1990. The meaning "window of an automobile" is by 1904. As a type of maneuver in sports, by 1934 (U.S. football, screen-pass). Screen printing recorded from 1918. Screen-door is from 1840. Screen-time "time spent watching a computer or television screen" is by 1999.

c. 1300, touchen, "move or reach so as to make deliberate physical contact with; put hand or finger on (something) so as to feel; bring into physical contact;" from Old French tochier "to touch, hit, knock; mention, deal with" (11c., Modern French toucher), from Vulgar Latin *toccare "to knock, strike" as a bell (source also of Spanish tocar, Italian toccare), a word perhaps of imitative origin. Related: Touched; touching.

The passage of the sense 'knock, strike' into that of 'touch' (in Fr., etc.) is like that of Eng. 'thrust, push' into 'put': a stroke at its lightest is a mere touch. [OED, 1989]

Also from c. 1300 as "pertain to;" of fire, water, etc., "pass over." From mid-14c. as "come into or be in, incidental or involuntary physical contact" (with something). From late 14c. as "border on, be contiguous with or tangent to," also "extend to, reach, attain."

More broadly, "affect physically in some way by contact," early 14c.: especially "stain; affect injuriously, lay hands on for harm, make physical contact with in such a way as to cause injury or pain."

In broader or figurative senses, often non-physical, "handle or have to do with" (late 14c.), especially "meddle with, harm, injure." From late 15c. as "be felt as the concern of."

In reference to a musical instrument or tune, "strike the strings (later keys) of, play (on a stringed instrument)," late 14c. In drawing and painting, "work by touches" 1670s.

The sense of "get or go as far as" is from late 14c., hence figuratively "attain equality with" (1838).

As "partake of food," taste, drink (now often in the negative) from late 14c. The sense of "take in hand, receive," especially of money and shading into "get by underhand means" is from 1650s (OED compares French toucher de l'argent, 16c.); as "get or borrow money," by 1760.

With a mixture of senses, of words, etc., "say something that 'hits' " (1520s), and generally, "to sting, nettle, 'get to' " someone, "hurt or wound the mind or feelings," 1580s; hence touch to the quick (c. 1600).

The sense of "affect or move mentally, emotionally, or morally, affect with feeling or emotion" is by mid-14c., with a notion of "touching" the heart or mind.

From c. 1600 as "lay the hand on to cure the king's evil." Also from early 14c. as a euphemism for "have sexual contact with." To touch oneself "masturbate" is by 1927. Touched "deranged" is by 1704 (Shakespeare has "touch'd with madness").

Touch football is attested by 1933 in American English. Touch-typing (1947) was done without looking at the keyboard. To touch one's cap was a symbolic bow or salute.

A toucher (mid-15c.) was often "one who hits the mark," hence a reference to Cupid. To touch off "discharge as a cannon" is by 1884, hence figurative use. To touch bottom, figuratively, is to reach the lowest point.