curtain-raiser

noun

cur·​tain-rais·​er ˈkər-tᵊn-ˌrā-zər How to pronounce curtain-raiser (audio)
1
: a short play usually of one scene that is presented before the main full-length drama
2
: a usually short preliminary to a main event

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curtain-raiser was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near curtain-raiser

Cite this Entry

“Curtain-raiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curtain-raiser. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

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