E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bayadere (bah-ya-dare).
A dancing girl dressed in Eastern costume; so called from the bajaderes of India, whose duty is to dance before the images of the gods; but the grandees employ similar dancers for their private amusements. The word is a corruption of the Portuguese bailadeira.
