C20: from Louisiana French, from French béguin flirtation
Beguine in British English
(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
C15: from Old French, perhaps after Lambert le Bègue (the Stammerer), 12th-century priest of Liège, who founded the sisterhood
Beguine in American English
(ˈbɛgˌin; French beɪˈgin)
noun
a member of certain lay sisterhoods, not under permanent vows, begun in the Low Countries in the 12th cent.
Word origin
MFr beguine < OFr < begard: see beg
beguine in American English
(bɪˈgin)
noun
a rhythmic native dance of Martinique or its music
Word origin
AmFr béguine < Fr béguin, infatuation, fancy (< phr. avoir un béguin pour, to have a fancy for); earlier, a child's cap with strings, orig., a nun's cap < OFrBéguine: see Beguine