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

In every song, in every dance, Rebecca, Mukhtar Bey's beautiful Jewish damsel, and the blue-eyed bayadere Lizza, who was Sulaiman Bey's favorite, equally excelled.

From The Lion of Janina The Last Days of the Janissaries by Jókai, Mór

We also honored with our presence the bayadere communities, where only women dwell.

From Told by the Death's Head A Romantic Tale by J?kai, M?r

But the bayadere waited no longer for the arousing of his faculties.

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