n.
Pronunciation: ' k ə r-( ˌ )fyü
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French coverfeu, signal given to bank the hearth fire, curfew, from coverir to cover + fu, feu fire, from Latin focus hearth
Date: 14th century
1 : the sounding of a bell at evening <the Curfew tolls the knell of parting day ― Thomas Gray>
2 a : a regulation enjoining the withdrawal of usually specified persons (as juveniles or military personnel) from the streets or the closing of business establishments or places of assembly at a stated hour b : a signal to announce the beginning of a curfew c : the hour at which a curfew becomes effective d : the period during which a curfew is in effect