Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In a theater, a curtain which is lowered between acts.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Hilary_ trembles; so does the young lady, when she appears; and the agitation of all parties is only put an end to by the fall of the act-drop.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, October 2, 1841 Various
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The wife jumps out of the box, and by her assistance a tableau is formed for the act-drop to fall to.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, October 23, 1841 Various
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The act-drop fell, and male Denver, wrung to its religious deeps, went out to the rum-shop.
Lin McLean Owen Wister 1899
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When the act-drop fell, after the speech of Shylock to Antonio, his success was assured, and his fellow-actors, who had avoided him, now seemed disposed to congratulate him; but he shrank from their approaches.
The Drama Henry Brodribb Irving 1894
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And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
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When the act-drop rose on act two, Mr. Receiver-General was in office under the Parliament.
The Little Manx Nation - 1891 Hall Caine 1892
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The act-drop had now descended, the lights were turned on to their full power, and Orange, following the direction of Reckage's gaze, saw, in the last row of the stalls, a large man about nine-and-thirty with an emotional, nervous face, a heavy beard, and dense black hair.
Robert Orange Being a Continuation of the History of Robert Orange John Oliver Hobbes 1886
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And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 1 (of 25) Robert Louis Stevenson 1872
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But I would not have this, I declared he must paint bigger ones than ever, and what would he think of beginning upon an act-drop for a proposed vast theatre at Tavistock House?
The Life of Charles Dickens, Vol. I-III, Complete John Forster 1844
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Wednesday night's music in a concatenation accordingly, and jolly little polkas and quadrilles between the pieces, always beginning the moment the act-drop is down.
The Letters of Charles Dickens Vol. 1 (of 3), 1833-1856 Charles Dickens 1841
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