Curious Impertinent (The), a tale introduced by Cervantês in his Don Quixote. The "impertinent" is an Italian gentleman who is silly enough to make trial of his wife's fidelity by persuading a friend to storm it if he can. Of course his friend "takes the fort," and the fool is left to bewail his own folly.—Pt. I. iv. 5 (1605).
Currer Bell, the nom de plume of Charlotte Brontê, author of Jane Eyre [Air] (1816-1855).
Curta'na, the sword of Edward the Con'fessor, which had no point, and was therefore the emblem of mercy. Till the reign of Henry III., the royal sword of England was so called.
But when Curtana will not do the deed,
You lay the pointless clergy-weapon by,
And to the laws, your sword of justice, fly.
Dryden,
The Hind and the Panther
, ii. (1687).
Curta'na or Courtain, the sword of Ogier the Dane.