bayadere

American  

[bahy-uh-deer, -der] / ˈbaɪ əˌdɪər, -ˌdɛr /

noun

1. a fabric with horizontal stripes of brilliant colors.

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bayadere British  

/ ˌbaɪəˈdɪə, -ˈdɛə /

noun

1. a dancing girl, esp one serving in a Hindu temple

2. a fabric or design with horizontal stripes, esp of a bright colour

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adjective

1. (of fabric, etc) having horizontal stripes

Etymology

Origin of bayadere

1855–60; < French: a professional female dancer of India < Portuguese bailadeira, feminine of bailador dancer ( baila ( r ) to dance ( see ball ²) + -dor < Latin -tor -tor ); apparently in reference to the fabrics worn by such dancers

Example Sentences

The reflection of a greater thing claimed her and taught her, held her like a bayadere in a temple court.

From Foes by Johnston, Mary

With the bayadere following he raced through the cloyed musk of the temple toward the square of lesser darkness at the rear, which showed the exit into the court.

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth

The bayadere made toward the sea-front, not many yards distant, sped across the wharf and over the edge apparently into the water.

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth

"And she is more powerful than thou art," cried the enraged bayadere, accumulating insult on the head of Adsalis, "for she is the wife of Halil Patrona."

From Halil the Pedlar A Tale of Old Stambul by Jókai, Mór

The miraculous intervention of the bayadere gave them the opportunity to save themselves.

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth