rideau

curtain

noun ree-DOH Less Common

Usage Note

Rideau has the characteristic '-eau' plural rideaux. Tirer le rideau means both 'to draw the curtain' and figuratively 'to put an end to something'. Le rideau de fer ('the Iron Curtain') is the Cold War political metaphor. In theatre, lever le rideau is to raise the curtain and begin a show.

Examples

"Elle a tiré les rideaux pour bloquer la lumière."

Natural Translation

She drew the curtains to block the light.

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