beguine

[ buh-geen ]

/ bəˈgin /

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noun

a dance in bolero rhythm that originated in Martinique.

a modern social dance based on the beguine.

music for either of these dances.

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Origin of beguine

1930–35; <French (West Indies) béguine, feminine derivative of béguinbiggin¹, trifling love affair

Words nearby beguine

beg the question, beg to differ, beguile, beguiling, Beguin, beguine, begum, begun, be had, behalf, Behan

Other definitions for beguine (2 of 2)

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. 2023

How to use beguine in a sentence

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
It is pleasant to look at the smiling, cheerful old Beguine, and think no more of yonder livid face.
Little Travels and Roadside Sketches|William Makepeace Thackeray
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

This, by some mischief-making Persons, was held to be highly compromising to the Fair 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

British Dictionary definitions for beguine (1 of 2)

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

British Dictionary definitions for beguine (2 of 2)

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