2. (Fort.)
Defn: That part of the rampart and parapet which is between two bastions or two gates. See Illustrations of Ravelin and Bastion.
3. (Arch.)
Defn: That part of a wall of a building which is between two pavilions, towers, etc.
4. A flag; an ensign; — in contempt. [Obs.] Shak. 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. 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 ot 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.
CURTAIN
Cur"tain, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Curtained (-tnd; 48); p. pr. & vb. n.
Curtaining.]
Defn: To inclose as with curtains; to furnish with curtains.
So when the sun in bed Curtained with cloudy red. Milton.
CURTAL Cur"tal (kr"tal), a. Etym: [OF. courtault, F. courtaud, having a docked tail (cf. It. cortaldo), fr. court short, L. curtus. See Curt, and Curtail.]
Defn: Curt; brief; laconic.
Essays and curtal aphorisms. Milton.
Curtal dog. See Curtail dog.
CURTAL
Cur"tal, n.