I. ˈkər-t ə n noun
Etymology: 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
Date: 14th century
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 curtain s for us if we're caught
• cur·tain·less -ləs adjective
II. transitive verb
( cur·tained ; cur·tain·ing ˈkərt-niŋ, -ˈkər-t ə n-iŋ)
Date: 14th century
1. : to furnish with or as if with curtains
2. : to veil or shut off with or as if with a curtain