beadle
a parish officer having various subordinate duties, as keeping order during services, waiting on the rector, etc.
Origin of beadle
1Other words from beadle
- sub·bea·dle, noun
- un·der·bea·dle, noun
Words Nearby beadle
Other definitions for Beadle (2 of 2)
George Wells, 1903–1989, U.S. biologist and educator: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1958.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use beadle in a sentence
The matron expressed her entire concurrence in this intelligible simile, and the beadle went on.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensHe fixed his eyes on Mrs. Corney as he said this; and if ever a beadle looked tender, Mr. Bumble was that beadle at that moment.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensMrs. Corney drooped her head when the beadle said this, and the beadle drooped his to get a view of Mrs. Corneys face.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensPeppermint, explained Mrs. Corney, in a faint voice, smiling gently on the beadle as she spoke.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensWith these words, the beadle strode, with a lofty and gloomy air, from the undertakers premises.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles Dickens
British Dictionary definitions for beadle (1 of 2)
/ (ˈbiːdəl) /
(formerly, in the Church of England) a minor parish official who acted as an usher and kept order
(in Scotland) a church official attending on the minister
Judaism a synagogue attendant: See also shammes
an official in certain British universities and other institutions
Origin of beadle
1Derived forms of beadle
- beadleship, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Beadle (2 of 2)
/ (ˈbiːdəl) /
George Wells . 1903–89, US biologist, who shared the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine in 1958 for his work in genetics
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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