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• beguine
  beguine

  noun

  a dance in bolero rhythm that originated in Martinique.
• Beguine
  Beguine

  noun

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

beguine

¹ American  

[buh-geen] / bəˈgin /

noun

1. a dance in bolero rhythm that originated in Martinique.

2. a modern social dance based on the beguine.

3. music for either of these dances.

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Beguine ² American  

[beg-een, bay-geen, buh-geen] / ˈbɛg in, ˈbeɪ gin, bəˈgin /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

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

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beguine ¹ British  

/ bɪˈɡiːn /

noun

1. a dance of South American origin in bolero rhythm

2. a piece of music in the rhythm of this dance

3. a variant of biggin 1

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Beguine ² British  

/ ˈbɛɡiːn /

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

Origin of beguine¹

1930–35; < French (West Indies) béguine, feminine derivative of béguin biggin ¹, trifling love affair

Origin of Beguine²

1350–1400; Middle English begyne < Middle French beguine, said to be after Lambert (le) Begue (the stammerer), founder of the order; see -ine ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

beguine Beguine

Aleys later discovers that a beguine named Katrijn Janssens has been secretly translating Latin scripture into Dutch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2026

As lyrics go, “Don’t know if I’m elated or gassy, but I’m somewhere in that zone” is no “When the sardine begin the beguine it’s music to me.”

From Slate ● Nov. 26, 2013

Connoisseurs have risen to cry that when they begin the beguine they absolutely finish it.

From Time Magazine Archive

That it grows a little sugar, much of which goes into rum, and that the beguine began there.

From Time Magazine Archive

The beguine took no vows, could return to the world and marry if she so desired, and did not renounce her property.

From Of Six Mediæval Women To Which Is Added A Note on Mediæval Gardens by Alice Kemp-Welch

Her only contact with other humans is a slit through which she can hear daily mass, save for Marte, the low-ranking Beguine assigned to deliver her meals and empty her slop bucket.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 4, 2026

Beguine, a 30-1 long shot, is also eligible.

From Washington Post ● May 2, 2022

Now a home for sisters of the St. Benedict Order, it features an expansive lawn planted with poplars, an active church, homes and a small museum that re-creates the living quarters of a Beguine.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 18, 2017

There were going to be 28 songs in that film: Tea for Two, Begin the Beguine, all those.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 14, 2012

You may ask, if this almost entire Liberty be granted them, what there was to hinder Mynheer Jan van Dangerous and the Fair Beguine Wilhelmina van Praag from coming together as Man and Wife?

From The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, Vol. 3 Who was a sailor, a soldier, a merchant, a spy, a slave among the moors... by George Augustus Sala

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