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.

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

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 Earle, Alice Morse