cur|tail /kɜː r te I l/ (curtails , curtailing , curtailed ) VERB If you curtail something, you reduce or limit it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] NATO plans to curtail the number of troops being sent to the region.
cur|tail|ment /kɜː r te I lmənt/ N‑SING The curtailment of something is the act of reducing or limiting it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the curtailment of presidential power.
cur|tain ◆◇◇ /kɜː r t ə n/ (curtains )
1 N‑COUNT Curtains are large pieces of material which you hang from the top of a window. [mainly BRIT ] □ Her bedroom curtains were drawn. in AM, usually use drapes 2 N‑COUNT Curtains are pieces of very thin material which you hang in front of windows in order to prevent people from seeing in. [AM ] in BRIT, use net curtains 3 N‑SING In a theatre, the curtain is the large piece of material that hangs in front of the stage until a performance begins. □ The curtain rises toward the end of the Prelude.
4 N‑SING You can refer to something as a curtain when it is thick and difficult to see through or get past. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] Something dark disappeared behind the curtain of leaves.
5 → see also Iron Curtain
6 PHRASE If something brings down the curtain on an event or situation, it causes or marks the end of it. □ …management changes that will finally bring down the curtain on Lord Forte's extraordinary working life
cu r|tain call (curtain calls ) also curtain-call N‑COUNT In a theatre, when actors or performers take a curtain call , they come forward to the front of the stage after a performance in order to receive the applause of the audience. □ They took 23 curtain calls.
cur|tained /kɜː r t ə nd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A curtained window, door, or other opening has a curtain hanging across it. □ …heavily-curtained windows.
cu rtain-raiser (curtain-raisers ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A curtain-raiser is an event, especially a sporting event or a performance, that takes place before a more important one, or starts off a series of events. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ to ] The game is the curtain-raiser to the National Football League season.
curt|sy /kɜː r tsi/ (curtsies , curtsying , curtsied ) also curtsey VERB If a woman or a girl curtsies , she lowers her body briefly, bending her knees and sometimes holding her skirt with both hands, as a way of showing respect for an important person. □ [V + to ] We were taught how to curtsy to the Queen. □ [V ] Ingrid shook the Duchess's hand and curtsied. ● N‑COUNT Curtsy is also a noun. □ She gave a curtsy.
cur|va|ceous /kɜː r ve I ʃəs/ ADJ If someone describes a woman as curvaceous , they think she is attractive because of the curves of her body. [APPROVAL ] □ …a curvaceous blonde.
cur|va|ture /kɜː r vətʃə r / N‑UNCOUNT The curvature of something is its curved shape, especially when this shape is part of the circumference of a circle. [TECHNICAL ] □ [+ of ] …the curvature of the Earth.
curve /kɜː r v/ (curves , curving , curved )
1 N‑COUNT A curve is a smooth, gradually bending line, for example part of the edge of a circle. □ [+ of ] …the curve of his lips. □ [+ in ] …a curve in the road.
2 VERB If something curves , or if someone or something curves it, it has the shape of a curve. □ [V ] Her spine curved. □ [V adv/prep] The track curved away below him. □ [V -ing] …a knife with a slightly curving blade. □ [V n] A small, unobtrusive smile curved the cook's thin lips.
3 VERB If something curves , it moves in a curve, for example through the air. □ [V ] The ball curved strangely in the air.
4 N‑COUNT You can refer to a change in something as a particular curve , especially when it is represented on a graph. □ Each firm will face a downward-sloping demand curve.
5 → see also learning curve
6 PHRASE If someone throws you a curve or if they throw you a curve ball , they surprise you by doing something you do not expect. [mainly AM ] □ At the last minute, I threw them a curve ball by saying, 'We're going to bring spouses'.
7 PHRASE People, products or ideas that are ahead of the curve are more advanced or modern than others of their kind. □ Her fashion designs were always ahead of the curve.
curved /kɜː r vd/ ADJ A curved object has the shape of a curve or has a smoothly bending surface. □ …a small, curved staircase. □ …the curved lines of the chairs.
curvy /kɜː r vi/ ADJ If someone describes a woman as curvy , they think she is attractive because of the curves of her body. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ]
cush|ion /kʊ ʃ ə n/ (cushions , cushioning , cushioned )
1 N‑COUNT A cushion is a fabric case filled with soft material, which you put on a seat to make it more comfortable. □ …a velvet cushion.
2 N‑COUNT A cushion is a soft pad or barrier, especially one that protects something. □ The company provides a styrofoam cushion to protect the tablets during shipping.
3 VERB Something that cushions an object when it hits something protects it by reducing the force of the impact. □ [V n] …a giant airbag to cushion your landing. □ [V n + from ] The suspension is designed to cushion passengers from the effects of rough roads.