Curfew Definition

kûrfyo͝o
curfews
noun
A regulation or rule requiring certain or all people to leave the streets or be at home at a prescribed hour.
American Heritage
In the Middle Ages, the ringing of a bell every evening as a signal for people to cover fires, put out lights, and retire.
Webster's New World
The bell.
Webster's New World
The time at which it was rung.
Webster's New World
The signal, such as a bell, announcing the beginning of this restriction.
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Curfew

Noun

Singular:
curfew
Plural:
curfews

Origin of Curfew

  • Middle English curfeu from Old French cuevrefeu covrir to cover cover feu fire (from Latin focus hearth)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Anglo-Norman coeverfu and Old French cuevre-fu (French couvre-feu), from the imperative of covrir (“to cover”) + fu (“fire”).

    From Wiktionary

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