Curtain

King James Dictionary

Curtain n. Low L., in fortification. This word may be from the root of court, and from the sense of separating.

1. A cloth hanging round a bed, or at a window, which may be contracted, spread or drawn aside at pleasure intended for ornament, or for use. Also, the hangings about the ark, among the Israelites. 2. A cloth-hanging used in theaters, to conceal the stage from the spectators. This is raised or let down by cords. Hence the phrases, to drop the curtain, to close the scene, to end to raise the curtain or the curtain will rise, to denote the opening of the play. And to draw the curtain, is to close it, to shut out the light or to conceal an object or to open it and disclose the object. Behind the curtain, in concealment, in secret. 3. In fortification, that part of the rampart which is between the flanks of two bastions, bordered with a parapet five feet high, behind which the soldiers stand to fire on the covered way and into the moat. 4. In scripture, tents dwellings.  Habakkuk 3:7 .

CURTAIN, To inclose with curtains to furnish with curtains.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

"Stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain" ( Isaiah 40:22 ), is an expression used with reference to the veil or awning which Orientals spread for a screen over their courts in summer. According to the prophet, the heavens are spread over our heads as such an awning. Similar expressions are found in  Psalm 104:2 l; Compare  Isaiah 44:24;  Job 9:8 .

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., DD Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Curtain'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/c/curtain.html. 1897.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (v. t.) To inclose as with curtains; to furnish with curtains.

(2): (n.) That part of a wall of a building which is between two pavilions, towers, etc.

(3): (n.) That part of the rampart and parapet which is between two bastions or two gates. See Illustrations of Ravelin and Bastion.

(4): (n.) A hanging screen intended to darken or conceal, and admitting of being drawn back or up, and reclosed at pleasure; esp., drapery of cloth or lace hanging round a bed or at a window; in theaters, and like places, a movable screen for concealing the stage.

(5): (n.) A flag; an ensign; - in contempt.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Song of Solomon 1:5 Isaiah 54:2 Jeremiah 4:20 Jeremiah 10:20 Jeremiah 49:29 Habakkuk 3:7 Exodus 26:2 Matthew 27:51 Hebrews 6:19 Hebrews 9:3 Hebrews 10:20

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

CURTAIN . See Tabernacle.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kur´t ' n , -ten, -tin: The word ordinarily used for curtain is יריעה , yerı̄‛āh ̌ . Thus in  Exodus 26:1;  Exodus 36:8 of the curtains of the tabernacle (see Tabernacle ); in  2 Samuel 7:2;  Psalm 104:2;  Song of Solomon 1:5;  Isaiah 54:2;  Jeremiah 4:20;  Jeremiah 10:20;  Jeremiah 49:29;  Habakkuk 3:7 .

Figurative:  Isaiah 40:22  Psalm 104:2דּק dōḳ

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Curtain'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/c/curtain.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.