{ Be*ghard"Be*guard" } (?), n.
[F. bégard, béguard; cf. G. beghard, LL.
Beghardus, Begihardus, Begardus. Prob. from the root
of beguine + -ard or -hard. See Beguine.]
(Eccl. Hist.)One of an association of religious laymen living
in imitation of the Beguines. They arose in the thirteenth century, were
afterward subjected to much persecution, and were suppressed by Innocent X.
in 1650. Called also Beguins.