{
    "term": "curtain",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "b1",
    "image": "data/images/cu/curtains.png",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "a piece of cloth that is hung to cover a window",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "to draw/pull/close the curtains *(= to pull them across the window so they cover it)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She opened her curtains and looked out."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It was ten in the morning but the curtains were still drawn *(= closed)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a pair of curtains"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She looked up and saw a face peering through the curtains."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Heavy red velvet curtains hung either side of the huge window."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She pulled back the curtains, and sunlight streamed in."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The curtains billowed as the wind caught them."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They sat in the dark with the curtains drawn."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Houses and homes"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["shower", "closed", "drawn"],
                "verb + curtain": ["close", "draw", "open"],
                "curtain + verb": ["hang", "billow", "blow"],
                "curtain + noun": ["rail", "rod"],
                "preposition": ["behind a/​the curtain"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "a very thin piece of cloth that you hang at a window and that allows light to enter but stops people outside from being able to see inside",
            "labels": "(North American English)British English",
            "examples": [],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["shower", "closed", "drawn"],
                "verb + curtain": ["close", "draw", "open"],
                "curtain + verb": ["hang", "billow", "blow"],
                "curtain + noun": ["rail", "rod"],
                "preposition": ["behind a/​the curtain"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "a piece of cloth that is hung up as a screen in a room or around a bed, for example",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a shower curtain"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He took a bag from a shelf behind some curtains."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["shower", "closed", "drawn"],
                "verb + curtain": ["close", "draw", "open"],
                "curtain + verb": ["hang", "billow", "blow"],
                "curtain + noun": ["rail", "rod"],
                "preposition": ["behind a/​the curtain"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "a piece of thick, heavy cloth that hangs in front of the stage in the theatre",
            "labels": "(figurative)(figurative)",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The audience was waiting for the curtain to rise *(= for the play to begin)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The curtain goes up to reveal a grand piano at the back of the stage."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There was tremendous applause when **the curtain came down** *(= the play ended)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We left just before the **final curtain** *(= the end of a play)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's time to face the **final curtain** *(= the end; death)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The curtain has fallen on her long and distinguished career *(= her career has ended)*."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Film and theatre"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["final"],
                "curtain + verb": ["go up", "open", "part"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "a thing that covers, hides or protects something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a **curtain of rain/smoke**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She pushed back the curtain of brown hair from her eyes."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be a situation without hope or that you cannot escape from",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "When I saw he had a gun, I thought it was curtains for me."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to finish or mark the end of something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "His sudden decision to retire brought down the curtain on a distinguished career."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈkɜːtn/",
                "audio": "cu/curtain/curtain__gb_2.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈkɜːrtn/",
                "audio": "cu/curtain/curtain__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Old French cortine, from late Latin cortina, translation of Greek aulaia, from aulē ‘court’."
}