beguine
1 of 2noun (1)
be·guine ˈbā-ˌgēn 
ˌbā-ˈgēn
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 2noun (2)
be·guine bi-ˈgēn
: a vigorous popular dance of the islands of Saint Lucia and Martinique that somewhat resembles the rumba
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