1. a ballroom dance of Caribbean origin in moderate tempo
2. music written for or in the rhythm of a beguine
3. a member of a Christian sisterhood founded in the Netherlands in the 12th century
Usage: historical

Examples

• The couple danced a slow beguine at the wedding reception.
• Cole Porter’s ‘Begin the Beguine’ is a famous song in this style.
• The orchestra played several beguines during the evening.
• She learned the basic steps of the beguine in dance class.
• The beguines were known for their charitable work in medieval times.
• Many beguines lived in communities called beguinages.
• The rhythm of the beguine has a distinctive Caribbean feel.