curtain
noun
- a piece of cloth or other material, sometimes arranged so that it can be drawn up or sideways, hung for decoration, as at a window, or to cover, conceal, or shut off something
- anything that covers, conceals, separates, or shuts off: a curtain of fog
- that part of a wall between two bastions, gates, etc.
- Archit. an enclosing wall that does not support a roof
- Theater
- the large drape or hanging screen at the front of the stage, which is drawn up or aside to reveal the stage
- the opening of the curtain at the beginning, or its closing at the end, of a play, act, or scene
- an effect, line, or situation in a play just before the curtain closes
- curtain call
- ☆ Slang death; the end
transitive verb
- to provide or decorate with a curtain
- to cover, conceal, or shut off as with a curtain
See curtain in American Heritage Dictionary 4
cur·tain
noun- Material that hangs in a window or other opening as a decoration, shade, or screen.
- Something that functions as or resembles a screen, cover, or barrier: the curtain of mist before the mountain; a heavy curtain of artillery fire.
a. The movable screen or drape in a theater or hall that separates the stage from the auditorium or that serves as a backdrop.
b. The rising or opening of a theater curtain at the beginning of a performance or act.
c. The time at which a theatrical performance begins or is scheduled to begin.
d. The fall or closing of a theater curtain at the end of a performance or act.
e. The concluding line, speech, or scene of a play or act.
- The part of a rampart or parapet connecting two bastions or gates.
- Architecture A curtain wall.
- curtains Slang
a. The end.
b. Absolute ruin: “If the employee doesn't shape up, it's curtains” (Business Week).
c. Death.
transitive verb cur·tained,
cur·tain·ing,
cur·tains - To provide (something) with or as if with a curtain.
- To shut off (something) with or as if with a curtain.
Origin: Middle English cortine, from Old French, from Late Latin cōrtīna, from Latin cōrs, cōrt-, variant of cohors, court; see court .
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