The word "beguines" refers to a community of women who lived in a religious or semi-religious community during the Middle Ages. Synonyms for this term include "holy women," "lay sisters," and "devout women." Other possible synonyms for beguines might include "nuns," "monks," or "friars," although these terms carry slightly different connotations and may not be entirely interchangeable. Some more modern synonyms for beguines might include "sisters," "spiritual seekers," or "women of faith." Regardless of the specific terminology used to describe these women, they played an important role in the spiritual and social fabric of many medieval communities, and their legacy continues to inspire and inform the lives of many people today.