What does curfew mean?

Definitions for curfew
ˈkɜr fyucur·few

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word curfew.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. curfewnoun

    the time that the curfew signal is sounded

  2. curfewnoun

    a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew restrictions

  3. curfewnoun

    an order that after a specific time certain activities (as being outside on the streets) are prohibited

Wiktionary

  1. curfewnoun

    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.

  2. curfewnoun

    The evening bell, which continued to be rung in many towns after the regulation itself became obsolete.

  3. curfewnoun

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

  4. curfewnoun

    The time when such restriction begins.

  5. curfewnoun

    A signal indicating this time.

  6. curfewnoun

    A fireplace accessory designed to bank a fire by completely covering the embers.

  7. Etymology: From coeverfu and cuevre-fu (French couvre-feu), from the imperative of covrir + fu.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Curfewnoun

    An evening-peal, by which the conqueror willed, that every man should rake up his fire, and put out his light; so that in many places at this day, where a bell is customarily rung towards bed time, it is said to ring curfew. John Cowell

    Etymology: couvre feu, French.

    You whose pastime
    Is to make midnight mushrooms, that rejoice
    To hear the solemn curfew. William Shakespeare, Tempest.

    Oft on a plat of rising ground,
    I hear the far off curfew sound,
    Over some wide-water’d shoar,
    Swinging slow with sullen roar. John Milton.

    But now for pans, pots, curfews, counters and the like, the beauty will not be so much respected, so as the compound stuff is like to pass. Francis Bacon, Phys. Rem.

Wikipedia

  1. Curfew

    A curfew is a government order specifying a time during which certain regulations apply. Typically, curfews order all people affected by them to not be in public places or on roads within a certain time frame, typically in the evening and nighttime hours. Such an order may be issued by public authorities but also by the owner of a house to those living in the household. For instance, an au pair was typically given a curfew, which regulates when they must return to the host family's home in the evening. Curfews were a common element of control used in martial law, though curfews can also be implemented for public safety in the event of a disaster, pandemic, or crisis.

ChatGPT

  1. curfew

    A curfew is a specific time or period in which certain regulations or restrictions apply, typically requiring individuals to stay indoors, often established by authorities or law enforcement. This measure is usually taken for reasons of public safety or order, such as during a civil unrest or a public health crisis. It can also refer to the rules set by parents for their children about when they are expected to be home.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Curfewnoun

    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

  2. Curfewnoun

    a utensil for covering the fire

  3. Etymology: [OE. courfew, curfu, fr. OF. cuevrefu, covrefeu, F. couvre-feu; covrir to cover + feu fire, fr. L. focus fireplace, hearth. See Cover, and Focus.]

Wikidata

  1. Curfew

    A curfew is an order specifying a time during which certain regulations apply. Examples: ⁕An order issued by the public authorities or military insurgents requiring everyone or certain people to be indoors at certain times, often at night. It can be imposed to maintain public order, or suppress targeted groups. Curfews have long been directed at certain groups in many cities or states, such as Japanese-American university students on the West Coast of the United States during World War II, African-Americans in many towns during the time of Jim Crow laws, or people younger than a certain age in many towns of the United States since the 1980s; see below. ⁕An order by the legal guardians of a teenager to return home by a specific time, usually in the evening or night. This may apply daily, or vary with the day of the week, e.g., if the minor has to go to school the next day. ⁕A daily requirement for guests to return to their hostel before a specified time, usually in the evening or night. ⁕In baseball, a time after which a game must end, or play be suspended. For example, in the American League the curfew rule for many years decreed that no inning could begin after 1 am local time.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Curfew

    kur′fū, n. in feudal times the ringing of a bell at eight o'clock, as a signal to put out all fires and lights. [O. Fr. covrefeu; couvrir, to cover, feu, fire—L. focus.]

Editors Contribution

  1. curfew

    Set time and place when all humans should be inside/at home including people driving cars.


    Submitted by rinat on May 31, 2020  

Suggested Resources

  1. curfew

    Song lyrics by curfew -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by curfew on the Lyrics.com website.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of curfew in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of curfew in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of curfew in a Sentence

  1. Sandeep Chattoo:

    We are taking care to ensure that the family members of the players are given curfew passes in Kashmir and their welfare looked after, this will help restore the players' confidence in the team management.

  2. Willy Lam:

    Even though the mask ban is just a small move under the Emergency Ordinance, it is a dangerous first step. If the anti-mask legislation proves to be ineffective, it could lead the way to more draconian measures such as a curfew and other infringement of civil liberties.

  3. President Ernest Bai Koroma:

    I have instructed the security to institute chiefdom-level curfew and restriction on movement from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Kambia and Port Loko districts, with immediate effect.

  4. Jackie Toboroff:

    Of course no one is abiding by the curfew, they’re lawbreakers.

  5. Marjorie Taylor:

    Democrat Maxine Waters stood in the streets of Minnesota while breaking curfew and inciting riots that led to gunshots being fired at National Guardsmen.

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Translations for curfew

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"curfew." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/curfew>.

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