From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Curfew \Cur"few\ (k[^u]r"f[=u]), 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.
[1913 Webster]
He begins at curfew, and walks till the first cock.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The village curfew, as it tolled profound.
--Campbell.
[1913 Webster]
2. A utensil for covering the fire. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
For pans, pots, curfews, counters and the like.
--Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [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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