Meaning

(archaic) Prayer, later especially with a rosary..

Definitions by Sense

1. (archaic) Prayer, later especially with a rosary.
2. Each in a string of small balls making up the rosary or paternoster.
3. A small, round object.
4. A ridge, band, or molding.
5. (physical chemistry, dated) A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron, manganese, etc., before the blowpipe.
6. (woodworking) A decorative, convex, rounded profile (often a half-circle) cut into an edge or surface of wood, typically defined by a narrow, deep channel called a quirk.
7. (intransitive) To form into a bead.
8. (transitive) To apply beads to.

Example Sentences

That he must believe in the Pope;—go to Mass;—cross himself;—tell his beads;—be a good Catholick, and that this, in all conscience, was enough to carry him to heaven.

Holonym: prayer beads

the borax bead;  the iron bead, etc.

The raindrops beaded on the car's waxed finish.

She spent the morning beading the gown.

He beaded some solder for the ends of the wire.

Only the hum of the miserable creatures stirred the heavy murk that beaded our foreheads with sweat as we pushed our way through it.

Word Forms

• beads
• beading
• beaded

Synonyms for bead

Related Words

When Should You Use Bead?

Use bead when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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