curtain English · revision 15300

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1186|origins=la cohors}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkɜːtn̩/ ''(UK)''; /ˈkɜɹt(ə)n/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|curtine]], [[bor|fro|cortine|t=curtain, tapestry]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la-lat|cortīna|t=curtain]], in classical Latin a round vessel or cauldron,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) which in the Vulgate translated [[grc|αὐλαία|tr=aulaía|t=curtain]], from [[m|grc|αὐλή|tr=aulḗ|t=court]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) as if from [[la|cohors|t=enclosure, courtyard]] (stem cort-; see [[court]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A piece of cloth hung as a screen, enclosing a bed or closing an opening: before 1186 in the OED, about 1300 in Etymonline, about 1303 (curteyn) in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Figuratively, something that screens or conceals, it is from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) The screen hiding a theatre stage is from the 1590s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and many figurative uses come from the stage: ''behind the curtain'' (1670s), the curtain call (1884) and ''curtains'', the end, by 1912.^(Etymonline) ''To draw the curtain'' has meant both to conceal and to reveal since about 1500.^(Etymonline) The verb, to enclose with a curtain, is from about 1300.^(Etymonline) An Old English word for a curtain was [[m|ang|flēonet|t=fly-net]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1186 – a hanging screen.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – figurative screen.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1599 – a theatre curtain.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1884 – curtain call.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1912 – curtains, the end.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A piece of cloth hung across a [[window]] or opening to shut out light or give privacy.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The screen separating a theatre stage from the audience, or its raising or lowering.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something that acts as a screen or barrier: ''a curtain of secrecy''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Curtains: ''(informal)'' the end, especially death.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To provide with a curtain, or to shut off with one.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[curtainless]]

+ * [[curtain-raiser]]

+ * [[lace-curtain]]

+ * [[curtain call]]

+ * [[act curtain]]

+ * [[bamboo curtain]]

+ * [[curtain lecture]]

+ * [[curtain time]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[court]]

+ * [[cohort]]

+ * [[courtyard]]

+ * [[iron curtain]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}