Beghard,
n. [F.
bégard,
béguard; cf. G.
beghard, LL.
Beghardus,
Begihardus,
Begardus. Prob. from the root of
beguine +
-ard or
-hard. See
Beguine.].
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. [1913 Webster]