curtain
/ˈkəːt(ə)n
/noun
1A piece of material suspended at the top to form a screen, typically movable sideways along a rail and found as one of a pair at a window: she drew the curtains and lit the fire figurative through the curtain of falling snow, she could just make out gravestones...
- I can draw a window curtain or adjust overhead lights.
- Aside from a pair of drab grey curtains which covered the window over the sink, the room was free of decorations.
- The men had tacked up a navy blue material to act as curtains over the stern windows.
Synonyms
window hanging, hanging, screen, blind;
net curtain, cafe curtain, portière, blackout;
drop curtain, drop scene, tableau curtain, safety curtain;
North American drape;
in Muslim & Hindu societies purdah
screen, cover, shield, cloak, veil, pall
2 (the curtain) A screen of heavy cloth or other material that can be raised or lowered at the front of a stage: he wants to see you directly the curtain comes down...
- The magician invites the heckler up on stage, positions him directly in front of the curtain, and begins ‘hypnotising’ him.
- Unfortunately, it makes the front stage curtain look shabby.
- So he took Roy and he put him back stage behind the curtain.
2.1A raising or lowering of the curtain at the beginning or end of an act or scene: the art is to hold your audience right from the opening curtain...
- The stage is covered with a canvas, as if the scene presented as the curtain rises was captured by a linen frame.
- The curtain raises on the opening scene with the cast gathered front of stage to a backdrop of trees, a small camp fire Flickering to one side.
- From her lonely entrance at the opening curtain, until the slaphappy denouement, she dominates the stage and virtually carries the show on her slim shoulders.
3 (curtains) informal A disastrous outcome: it looked like curtains for me...
- I guess if one team wins, it's curtains for the other and that's quite heavy.
- One more overdose and it's curtains for Marcia, one suspects.
- Five minutes later burly full forward Luke Ferguson booted the ball to the net for a second goal and it looked curtains for the Carlow town side.
verb [with object] (often as adjective curtained)
1Provide with a curtain or curtains: a curtained window...
- In the 1970s, however, it was decided that every plate-glass window should be curtained to control the thermal flow inside the building and these curtains have remained ever since.
- The tables all had salmon coloured cloths with white starched napkins, terracotta tile floors, large curtained bay windows and the atmosphere is very bright and happy.
- Near the bed sculpture was a curtained window frame, in which sat a monitor showing footage taped from Paik's hospital room and from the couple's loft.
1.1Conceal or screen with a curtain: a curtained-off side room...
- Samantha bowed her head so that her hair curtained her face, successfully concealing the crimson that stole over her cheeks in embarrassment.
- Stretching out his long length, his black hair curtained his face as his lightning blue eyes disappeared under a sweep of raven lashes.
- Her long, golden hair curtained her face, and you could just see her stunning eyes from behind.
Synonyms
screen, separate, isolate;
conceal, hide, shield, mask, veil, shroud
Phrases
bring down the curtain on
Origin
Middle English: from Old French cortine, from late Latin cortina, translation of Greek aulaia, from aulē 'court'.