First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1curtain
noun cur·tain \ˈkər-tən\
: a piece of cloth that hangs down from above a window and can be used to cover the window
: a piece of cloth or other material that is hung to protect or hide something
: a very large piece of cloth that hangs at the front of a stage and that is raised when a performance begins and lowered when a performance ends
Full Definition of CURTAIN
1
: a hanging screen usually capable of being drawn back or up; especially : window drapery
2
: a device or agency that conceals or acts as a barrier — compare iron curtain
3
a : the part of a bastioned front that connects two neighboring bastions b (1) : a similar stretch of plain wall (2) : a nonbearing exterior wall
4
a : the movable screen separating the stage from the auditorium of a theater b : the ascent or opening (as at the beginning of a play) of a stage curtain; also : its descent or closing (as at the end of an act) c : the final situation, line, or scene of an act or play d : the time at which a theatrical performance begins e plural : end; especially : death <it will be curtains for us if we're caught>
— cur·tain·less \-ləs\ adjective
See curtain defined for English-language learners
See curtain defined for kids
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Origin of CURTAIN
Middle English curtine, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin cortina (translation of Greek aulaia, from aulē court), from Latin cohort-, cohors enclosure, court — more at court
Related to CURTAIN
Rhymes with CURTAIN
2curtain
verb
cur·tainedcur·tain·ing \ˈkərt-niŋ, -ˈkər-tən-iŋ\
Definition of CURTAIN
transitive verb
1
: to furnish with or as if with curtains
2
: to veil or shut off with or as if with a curtain
See curtain defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CURTAIN
14th century
Related to CURTAIN
Rhymes with CURTAIN
CURTAIN Defined for Kids
1curtain
noun cur·tain \ˈkər-tən\
Definition of CURTAIN for Kids
1
: a piece of material (as cloth) hung up to darken, hide, divide, or decorate
2
: something that covers, hides, or separates like a curtain <a curtain of fog>
2curtain
verb
cur·tainedcur·tain·ing
Definition of CURTAIN for Kids
1
: to furnish with cloth that darkens, hides, divides, or decorates
2
: to hide or shut off
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