*curtain*

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Fort.) That part of the rampart and parapet which is between two bastions or two gates. See Illustrations of Ravelin and Bastion. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Arch.) That part of a wall of a building which is between two pavilions, towers, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A flag; an ensign; -- in contempt. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]