safety curtain

1 4.6

A heavy fireproof curtain lowered between the stage and audience to stop a fire from spreading

noun
/ˈseɪfti ˈkɜrtən/

: telón de seguridad

If a fire breaks out backstage, the safety curtain can quickly separate the stage from the auditorium.

Examples

The safety curtain dropped suddenly during the fire drill.
The theater manager explained that the safety curtain is lowered during intermissions for the audience's protection.
During the renovation, they replaced the old safety curtain with a newer, more advanced model.
Did you see the safety curtain at the theater?
The theater's safety curtain was lowered as a precaution during the fire drill.
Before the performance started, the actors waited behind the safety curtain.
In case of an emergency, the safety curtain will help contain any flames on stage.

Synonyms

theater curtain

vssafety curtain

2.7

A large heavy cloth that hides the stage and opens or closes for a show

is a heavy fireproof barrier lowered to prevent fire spreading to audience

drop curtain

vssafety curtain

Specialized

5.1

A large curtain hung above the stage that lowers to make background scenery

is lowered between stage and audience as a heavy fire barrier

Surface Forms

safety curtain singular

safety curtains plural

Morphology

safety + curtain

The compound meaning is directly derivable from 'safety' (protection from danger) + 'curtain' (a hanging cloth): it denotes a curtain whose purpose is safety (e.g., fire prevention). This follows a transparent noun–noun composition pattern common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Safety curtain comes from a real curtain used in theaters: a heavy, fireproof curtain that is lowered between the stage and the seats to keep flames and smoke away from the audience. Because it is a curtain for safety, the name simply means a barrier that 'protects' people from fire.