Main Entry:

¹bead

Pronunciation:

\ˈbēd\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English bede prayer, prayer bead, from Old English bed, gebed prayer; akin to Old English biddan to entreat, pray — more at bid

Date:

before 12th century

1 aobsolete : prayer —usually used in plural bplural : a series of prayers and meditations made with a rosary2: a small piece of material pierced for threading on a string or wire (as in a rosary)3plural a: rosary b: a necklace of beads or pearls4: a small ball-shaped body: as a: a drop of sweat or blood b: a bubble formed in or on a beverage c: a small metal knob on a firearm used as a front sight d: a blob or a line of weld metal 5: a projecting rim, band, or molding6: a precise knowledge or understanding —used in such phrases as get a bead on