Also 6–7 balladin(e, 7 baladyne. [a. F. baladin, -ine, f. ballade dancing-song: see BALLAD.]
† 1. A theatrical dancer; a mountebank, buffoon.
1599. Basilikon Doron (1603), 127. Delight not to keepe … in your company, comœdians or balladines.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. xv. § 1. Trickes of Tumblers, Funambuloes, Baladynes.
1676. Etheredge, Man of Mode, II. i. 19 (1684). Their best Balladins, who are Now practising a famous Ballat.
2. A female public dancer. rare.
1863. Browning, In Balcony, II. The first breathing woman’s cheek, First dancer’s, gipsy’s, or street baladine’s.
† 3. A ballad-maker or -singer. Cf. BALLADIER.
1604. Hieron, Wks., I. 551. D d d iij. Meeting with our common aduersary … in the fashion of a Rimer or Balladine.
