Where does “screen reader” come from?

screen reader (English) comes from English screen, from Middle English scren, from Anglo-Norman escren, from Old French escren, from Middle Dutch scherm, from Old Dutch skirm, from Proto-West Germanic skirmi, from Proto-Germanic skirmiz — to caw, crow.

screen reader (English): A software application that speaks aloud...

Definitions

  1. A software application that speaks aloud...

Ancestry of “screen reader”, step by step

screen reader traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English screen

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishscreenA physical divider intended to block an area from...
2Middle Englishscren
3Anglo-Normanescrenfirescreen, the tester of a bed; Alternative form...
4Old FrenchescrenAlternative form of escran
5Middle Dutchschermprotective screen; protection, cover
6Old Dutchskirmprotection
7Proto-West Germanicskirmifur, hide, pelt; covering, shelter, screen
8Proto-Germanicskirmizfur, hide, pelt; covering, shelter, screen
9Proto-Indo-Europeansḱer-to caw, crow

via English reader

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishreaderA person who reads; A person who reads a...
2Middle Englishreder
3Old Englishrēdere
4Proto-West Germanicrādāri
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sḱer-Every word from Proto-Germanic skirmizEvery word from Proto-West Germanic skirmi