curtain

Pronunciation: /ˈkɜɹt(ə)n/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
  2. noun any barrier to communication or vision
  3. verb provide with drapery

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English curtine, from Old French cortine, from Late Latin cōrtīna (“curtain”), a calque from Ancient Greek.

In classic literature

Synonyms

drape, drapery, mantle, pall

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
blind, furnishing
Narrower (hyponyms)
frontal, theater curtain, shower curtain, drop curtain, portiere, festoon

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