Curtain (kûrt&ibreve_;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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