/ ˈkɜːtn; NAmE ˈkɜːrtn/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a piece of cloth that is hung to cover a window :
to draw / pull / close the curtains (= to pull them across the window so they cover it)
to draw / draw back / pull back the curtains (= to open them, so that the window is no longer covered)
It was ten in the morning but the curtains were still drawn (= closed) .
a pair of curtains
—see also drape
2.
( NAmE ) = net curtain
3.
[ C ] a piece of cloth that is hung up as a screen in a room or around a bed, for example :
a shower curtain
—see also the Iron Curtain
4.
[ sing. ] a piece of thick, heavy cloth that hangs in front of the stage in the theatre :
The audience was waiting for the curtain to rise (= for the play to begin) .
There was tremendous applause when the curtain came down (= the play ended) .
We left just before the final curtain .
( figurative )
The curtain has fallen on her long and distinguished career (= her career has ended) .
( figurative )
It's time to face the final curtain (= the end; death) .
5.
[ C , usually sing. ] a thing that covers, hides or protects sth :
a curtain of rain / smoke
She pushed back the curtain of brown hair from her eyes.
•
IDIOMS
- be curtains (for sb)
- bring down the curtain on sth | bring the curtain down on sth
■ verb
[ vn ] to provide curtains for a window or a room
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- curtain sth off
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French cortine , from late Latin cortina , translation of Greek aulaia , from aulē court.