curfew

curfew [O.Fr.,=cover fire], originally a signal, such as the ringing of a bell, to damp the fire, extinguish all lights in the dwelling, and retire for the night. The custom originated as a precaution against fires and was common throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. The curfew has most recently been used in times of turbulence, such as revolution or civil disorders. It is a restrictive measure forcing all persons into their homes to reduce activity against the government or the occupying force. In some communities it has been applied to curb juvenile delinquency.

curfew ringing of an evening bell for the covering or extinction of domestic fires; also transf. and gen. XIII. — AN. coeverfu (mod. couvrefeu), f. tonic stem of couvrir COVER + feu fire :- L. focus hearth.

curfew a regulation requiring people to remain indoors between specified hours, typically at night. Originally denoting a regulation requiring people to extinguish fires at a fixed hour in the evening, or a bell rung at that hour, from Old French cuevrefeu, from cuvrir ‘cover’ + feu ‘fire’. The current sense dates from the late 19th century.