curtain lecture

curtain lecture
Older Use. a scolding administered in private by a wife to her husband.
[1625-35]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Curtain lecture — Curtain Cur tain (k[^u]r t[i^]n; 48), n. [OE.cortin, curtin,fr. OF. cortine, curtine, F. courtine, LL. cortina, curtian (in senses 1 and 2), also, small court, small inclosure surrounded by walls, from cortis court. See {Court}.] [1913 Webster] 1 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • curtain lecture — n. a private reprimand given by a wife to her husband: so called from the curtained beds in which such reproofs were conventionally given …   English World dictionary

  • curtain lecture — noun a private lecture to a husband by his wife • Hypernyms: ↑lecture, ↑speech, ↑talking to …   Useful english dictionary

  • curtain lecture — noun Etymology: from its originally being given behind the curtains of a bed Date: 1633 a private lecture by a wife to her husband …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • curtain lecture — n. private lecture or scolding a wife gives her husband before going to sleep at night …   English contemporary dictionary

  • curtain lecture — noun dated a wife s private reprimand to her husband. Origin C17: orig. a reprimand given behind bed curtains …   English new terms dictionary

  • curtain lecture — cur′tain lec ture n. sts Older Use. a scolding administered in private by a wife to her husband • Etymology: 1625–35 …   From formal English to slang

  • curtain lecture — /ˈkɜtn lɛktʃə/ (say kertn lekchuh) noun (dated) a private scolding, especially one by a wife to her husband. {from the old style four poster bed with canopy and curtains, providing a private space within} …  

  • curtain-lecture — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Curtain — Cur tain (k[^u]r t[i^]n; 48), n. [OE.cortin, curtin,fr. OF. cortine, curtine, F. courtine, LL. cortina, curtian (in senses 1 and 2), also, small court, small inclosure surrounded by walls, from cortis court. See {Court}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”