Bead

Bead
Bead Bead (b[=e]d), n. [OE. bede prayer, prayer bead, AS. bed, gebed, prayer; akin to D. bede, G. bitte, AS. biddan, to ask, bid, G. bitten to ask, and perh. to Gr. pei`qein to persuade, L. fidere to trust. Beads are used by the Roman Catholics to count their prayers, one bead being dropped down a string every time a prayer is said. Cf. Sp. cuenta bead, fr. contar to count. See {Bid}, in to bid beads, and {Bide}.] 1. A prayer. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

2. A little perforated ball, to be strung on a thread, and worn for ornament; or used in a rosary for counting prayers, as by Roman Catholics and Mohammedans, whence the phrases to tell beads,

{to be at one's beads},

{to bid beads}, etc., meaning, to be at prayer. [1913 Webster]

3. Any small globular body; as, (a) A bubble in spirits. (b) A drop of sweat or other liquid. ``Cold beads of midnight dew.'' --Wordsworth. (c) A small knob of metal on a firearm, used for taking aim (whence the expression to draw a bead, for, to take aim). (d) (Arch.) A small molding of rounded surface, the section being usually an arc of a circle. It may be continuous, or broken into short embossments. (e) (Chem.) 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; as, the borax bead; the iron bead, etc. [1913 Webster]

{Bead and butt} (Carp.), framing in which the panels are flush, having beads stuck or run upon the two edges. --Knight.

{Bead mold}, a species of fungus or mold, the stems of which consist of single cells loosely jointed together so as to resemble a string of beads. [Written also {bead mould}.]

{Bead tool}, a cutting tool, having an edge curved so as to make beads or beading.

{Bead tree} (Bot.), a tree of the genus {Melia}, the best known species of which ({Melia azedarach}), has blue flowers which are very fragrant, and berries which are poisonous. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • bead — bead; bead·ed; bead·er; bead·flush; bead·i·ly; …   English syllables

  • bead — [bēd] n. [ME bede, prayer, prayer bead < OE bed < biddan, to pray, ask: see BID1] 1. a small, usually round piece of glass, wood, metal, etc., pierced for stringing 2. [pl.] ROSARY (sense 1a) 3. [pl.] a string of beads; necklace …   English World dictionary

  • bead´i|ly — bead|y «BEE dee», adjective, bead|i|er, bead|i|est. 1. small, round, and shiny; beadlike: »The mouse has beady eyes …   Useful english dictionary

  • bead|y — «BEE dee», adjective, bead|i|er, bead|i|est. 1. small, round, and shiny; beadlike: »The mouse has beady eyes …   Useful english dictionary

  • bead — ► NOUN 1) a small piece of glass, stone, etc., threaded in a string with others to make a necklace or rosary. 2) a drop of a liquid on a surface. 3) a small knob forming the foresight of a gun. 4) the reinforced inner edge of a tyre. ► VERB 1)… …   English terms dictionary

  • Bead — Bead, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beaded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Beading}.] To ornament with beads or beading. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bead — Bead, v. i. To form beadlike bubbles. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bead — [bi:d] n [: Old English; Origin: bed, gebed prayer ; because people counted beads while saying their prayers] 1.) one of a set of small, usually round, pieces of glass, wood, plastic etc, that you can put on a string and wear as jewellery ▪ She… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Bead — Bead. См. буртик. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) …   Словарь металлургических терминов

  • bead — [ bid ] noun count usually plural 1. ) a small usually round piece of plastic, glass, metal, etc. with a hole through it, that you put on a string or chain with other beads and wear as jewelry: a string of beads 2. ) a small drop of a liquid such …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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