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n. 1. A piece of fabric or other material that hangs in a window or open space as a decoration, shade, screen, or divider. 2. Something that functions as or resembles a screen, cover, divider, or barrier: the curtain of mist before the mountain; a heavy curtain of artillery fire. 3. a. The movable screen or drape in a theater or hall that separates the stage from the auditorium or that serves as a backdrop. b. The rising or opening of a theater curtain at the beginning of a performance or act. c. The time at which a theatrical performance begins or is scheduled to begin. d. The fall or closing of a theater curtain at the end of a performance or act. 4. The part of a rampart or parapet connecting two bastions or gates. 5. Architecture A curtain wall. 6. curtains Slang a. The end. b. Absolute ruin: "If the employee doesn't shape up, it's curtains" (Business Week). c. Death. tr.v. cur·tained, cur·tain·ing, cur·tains 1. To provide (something) with a curtain or curtains. 2. To close off (something) with a curtain or curtains. [Middle English cortine, from Old French, from Late Latin cōrtīna, from Latin cōrs, cōrt-, variant of cohors, court; see COURT.] |
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