Curtain \Cur"tain\ (k[^u]r"t[i^]n; 48), n. [OE.cortin,
curtin,fr. OF. cortine, curtine, F. courtine, LL. cortina,
curtian (in senses 1 and 2), also, small court, small
inclosure surrounded by walls, from cortis court. See
Court.]
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1. A hanging screen intended to darken or conceal, and
admitting of being drawn back or up, and reclosed at
pleasure; esp., drapery of cloth or lace hanging round a
bed or at a window; in theaters, and like places, a
movable screen for concealing the stage.
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2. (Fort.) That part of the rampart and parapet which is
between two bastions or two gates. See Illustrations of
Ravelin and Bastion.
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3. (Arch.) That part of a wall of a building which is between
two pavilions, towers, etc.
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4. A flag; an ensign; -- in contempt. [Obs.] --Shak.
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Behind the curtain, in concealment; in secret.
Curtain lecture, a querulous lecture given by a wife to her
husband within the bed curtains, or in bed. --Jerrold.
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A curtain lecture is worth all the sermons in the
world for teaching the virtues of patience and
long-suffering. --W. Irving.
The curtain falls, the performance closes.
The curtain rises, the performance begins.
To draw the curtain, to close it over an object, or to
remove it; hence:
(a) To hide or to disclose an object.
(b) To commence or close a performance.
To drop the curtain, to end the tale, or close the
performance.
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