幕后, 秘密

Curtain \Cur"tain\ (k[^u]r"t[i^]n; 48), n. [OE.cortin,
curtin,fr. OF. cortine, curtine, F. courtine, LL. cortina,
curtian (in senses 1 and 2), also, small court, small
inclosure surrounded by walls, from cortis court. See
{Court}.]
1. 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.

2. (Fort.) That part of the rampart and parapet which is
between two bastions or two gates. See Illustrations of
{Ravelin} and {Bastion}.

3. (Arch.) That part of a wall of a building which is between
two pavilions, towers, etc.

4. A flag; an ensign; -- in contempt. [Obs.] --Shak.

{Behind the curtain}, in concealment; in secret.

{Curtain lecture}, a querulous lecture given by a wife to her
husband within the bed curtains, or in bed. --Jerrold.

A curtain lecture is worth all the sermons in the
world for teaching the virtues of patience and
long-suffering. --W. Irving.

{The curtain falls}, the performance closes.

{The curtain rises}, the performance begins.

{To draw the curtain}, to close it over an object, or to
remove it; hence:
(a) To hide or to disclose an object.
(b) To commence or close a performance.

{To drop the curtain}, to end the tale, or close the
performance.