beguine

[ buh-geen ]

/ bəˈgin /

noun

a dance in bolero rhythm that originated in Martinique.

a modern social dance based on the beguine.

music for either of these dances.

Nearby words

Origin of beguine

1930–35; < French (West Indies) béguine, feminine derivative of béguin biggin¹, trifling love affair

Beguine

[ beg-een, bey-geen, buh-geen ]

/ ˈbɛg in, ˈbeɪ gin, bəˈgin /

noun Roman Catholic Church.

a member of a lay sisterhood, founded in Liège in the 12th century.

Origin of Beguine

1350–1400; Middle English begyne < Middle French beguine, said to be after Lambert (le) Begue (the stammerer), founder of the order; see -ine¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for beguine

The first song I remember thinking “that is incredible” about was a song called “Begin the Beguine.”
Interview: T Bone Burnett, the Coen Brothers’ Music Guru|Andrew Romano|December 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I was transported into this place where the Beguine was happening, whatever that was.
Interview: T Bone Burnett, the Coen Brothers’ Music Guru|Andrew Romano|December 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Beguine, thereupon, advanced a few steps toward the queen, and bowed reverently before her.
The Vicomte de Bragelonne|Alexandre Dumas
Then, to make matters worse, there came that sad Affair of the Beguine.
The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, Vol. 3 of 3|George Augustus Sala

On the third day she rendered her, with her own hands, every service for which she had formerly needed a Beguine's aid.
In The Fire Of The Forge, Complete|Georg Ebers
Meanwhile it had grown dark, and the Beguine Paulina brought in a two-branched candelabrum with burning candles.
In The Fire Of The Forge, Complete|Georg Ebers
The origin of the names Beguine and Beghard has been the subject of much controversy.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for beguine

beguine

/ (bɪˈɡiːn) /

noun

a dance of South American origin in bolero rhythm

a piece of music in the rhythm of this dance

a variant of biggin 1

Word Origin for beguine

C20: from Louisiana French, from French béguin flirtation

Beguine

/ (ˈbɛɡiːn) /

noun

a member of a Christian sisterhood that was founded in Liège in the 12th century, and, though not taking religious vows, followed an austere life

Word Origin for Beguine

C15: from Old French, perhaps after Lambert le Bègue (the Stammerer), 12th-century priest of Liège, who founded the sisterhood

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for beguine

Beguine

late 15c., from French béguine (13c.), Medieval Latin beguina, a member of a women's spiritual order said to have been founded c.1180 in Liege in the Low Countries. They are said to take their name from the surname of Lambert le Bègue "Lambert the Stammerer," a Liege priest who was instrumental in their founding, and it's likely the word was pejorative at first.

The order generally preserved its reputation, though it quickly drew imposters who did not; nonetheless it eventually was condemned as heretical. A male order, called Beghards founded communities by the 1220s in imitation of them, but they soon degenerated (cf. Old French beguin "(male) Beguin," also "hypocrite") and wandered begging in the guise of religion; they likely were the source of the words beg and beggar, though there is disagreement over whether Beghard produced Middle Dutch beggaert "mendicant" or was produced by it.

Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine" (1935) refers to a kind of popular dance of West Indian origin, from French colloquial béguin "an infatuation, boyfriend, girlfriend," earlier "child's bonnet," and before that "nun's headdress" (14c.), from Middle Dutch beggaert, ultimately the same word.