fire curtain

noun

1. safety curtain.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire curtain¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

He added: "With the fire curtain that was originally here, we’re working with local artists to try and make some artwork out of that curtain, and the pully system for the curtain is being restored."

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The giant fire curtain is firmly down with scattered props and bits of scenery abandoned on stage behind it: a throne, a bicycle and racks of bright-coloured costumes.

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The book delivery system will be moved to the perimeter of the room, and a retractable fire curtain will be installed.

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She told me stories of being a young woman in the theatre — warned me away from the fire curtain, the heavy red velvet drape with chains at the bottom.

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The term conjures visions of stagehands grabbing a quick toke behind the fire curtain, but it refers to the fly system that John and the other flymen operate: Sandbags attached to ropes allow stagehands to quickly change heavy backdrops and other pieces of the set by raising and lowering them.

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