beguine

1 of 2

noun (1)

be·​guine ˈbā-ˌgēn  ˌbā-ˈgēn 

often capitalized

: a member of one of various ascetic and philanthropic communities of women not under vows founded chiefly in the Netherlands in the 13th century

beguine

2 of 2

noun (2)

be·​guine bi-ˈgēn 

: a vigorous popular dance of the islands of Saint Lucia and Martinique that somewhat resembles the rumba

Examples of beguine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The prospect that some of my new role models might be the beguines, an order of medieval religious laywomen, was hilarious as well as surprising, though its very unexpectedness gave the idea credence. —Hazlitt, 11 June 2025

This energetic program covers many genres — tangos, polkas, waltzes rags and beguines – as well as pieces from Strauss to Sousa to The Village People. —Encinitas Advocate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from Middle French, feminine derivative of beguin, begard, "male member of a lay order," going back to Old French, borrowed from Middle Dutch begaert, bagaert, of uncertain origin

Noun (2)

American French béguine, from French béguin flirtation

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1935, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for beguine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine