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couvre-feu

curfew

noun koov-ruh-FUH Rare

Usage Note

Couvre-feu literally means 'cover-fire', from the medieval practice of ringing a bell to signal that fires should be covered for the night. Today it denotes an official order to stay indoors after a set hour — lever le couvre-feu means 'to lift the curfew'. It became widely known during COVID-19 lockdowns in France.

Examples

"Le couvre-feu est en vigueur à partir de vingt heures."

Natural Translation

The curfew is in effect from eight o'clock.

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