Sense file
How the sense moved
The archive follows the dated record first, then reads the social or rhetorical pressure that hardened, softened, narrowed, or reversed the word.
Older meaning
A board or leather apron that stopped mud from splashing into a carriage.
Modern meaning
A vehicle control panel, or a digital control and metrics screen.
Research lens
A near-perfect technology metaphor: the protective board keeps its place in front of the user while its function changes completely.
Meaning trail
Root
dash shield
It protected riders from mud dashed by hooves.
Vehicle bridge
panel below the windshield
Location carried the word into motor vehicles.
Now
control screen
Software inherited the command-panel metaphor.