Curfew

//ˈkɜː.fjuː// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Any regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time.

    "Curfews have been curbing / The end of liberty"

  2. 2
    an order that after a specific time certain activities (as being outside on the streets) are prohibited wordnet
  3. 3
    The time when such restriction begins.
  4. 4
    a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew restrictions wordnet
  5. 5
    A signal indicating this time.
Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    the time that the curfew signal is sounded wordnet
  2. 7
    A fireplace accessory designed to bank a fire by completely covering the embers.
  3. 8
    A regulation in feudal Europe by which fires had to be covered up or put out at a certain fixed time in the evening, marked by the ringing of an evening bell. historical
  4. 9
    The evening bell, which continued to be rung in many towns after the regulation itself became obsolete.

    "I have my lodging neere unto a tower, where both evening and morning a very great bell doth chime Ave marie and Cover-few, which jangling doth even make the tower to shake […]."

Etymology

From Middle English curfu, from Old French cuevre-fu (French couvre-feu), from the imperative of covrir (“to cover”) + fu (“fire”). Compare kerchief.

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