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Webster 1913 Edition


Curfew

Cur′few

(kûr′fū)
,
Noun.
[OE.
courfew
,
curfu
, fr. OF.
cuevrefu
,
covrefeu
, F.
couvre-feu
;
covrir
to cover +
feu
fire, fr. L.
focus
fireplace, hearth. See
Cover
, and
Focus
.]
1.
The ringing of an evening bell, originally a signal to the inhabitants to cover fires, extinguish lights, and retire to rest, – instituted by
William the Conqueror
; also, the bell itself.
He begins at
curfew
, and walks till the first cock.
Shakespeare
The village
curfew
, as it tolled profound.
Campbell.
2.
A utensil for covering the fire.
[Obs.]
For pans, pots,
curfews
, counters and the like.
Bacon.

Webster 1828 Edition


Curfew

CURFEW

,
Noun.
1.
The ringing of a bell or bells at night, as a signal to the inhabitants to rake up their fires and retire to rest. This practice originated in England from an order of William the conqueror, who directed that at the ringing of the bell, at eight oclock, every one should put out his light and go to bed. This word is not used in America; although the practice of ringing a bell, at nine oclock, continues in many places, and is considered in New England, as a signal for people to retire from company to their own abodes; and in general, the signal is obeyed.
2.
A cover for a fire; a fire-plate. [Not used.]

Definition 2024


curfew

curfew

English

Alternative forms

Noun

curfew (plural curfews)

  1. Any regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time.
    • 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, "Hurricane Sandy," New York Times (retrieved 31 October 2012):
      Localities across New Jersey imposed curfews to prevent looting. In Monmouth, Ocean and other counties, people waited for hours for gasoline at the few stations that had electricity. Supermarket shelves were stripped bare.
  2. The time when such restriction begins.
  3. A signal indicating this time.
  4. A fireplace accessory designed to bank a fire by completely covering the embers.
  5. (historical) 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.
  6. The evening bell, which continued to be rung in many towns after the regulation itself became obsolete.
    • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.95:
      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 [].

Derived terms

  • curfew pass

Translations

See also