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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, bey-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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Who ever flew to the moon on gossamer wings or began a beguine?

From Time Magazine Archive

The word "beguine" meant a nun; and thus derivatively a nun's close cap.

From Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820) by Alice Morse Earle

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

The Beguine, thereupon, advanced a few steps towards the queen, and bowed reverently before her.

From Louise de la Valliere by Alexandre Dumas père