Hypertext Webster Gateway: "curfew"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Curfew \Cur"few\ (k?r"f?), n. [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.
--Shak.
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
curfew
n 1: the time that the curfew signal is sounded
2: a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew
restrictions
3: an order that after a specific time certain activities (as
being outside on the streets) are prohibited
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