beadsman

[beedz-muhn]

noun

Archaic.

plural

beadsmen 

1. a person who prays for another as a duty, especially when paid.

2. an inmate of a poorhouse; almsman.

beadsman

/ ˈbiːdzmən /

noun

1. a person who prays for another's soul, esp one paid or fed for doing so

2. a person kept in an almshouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of beadsman¹

1200–50; bead's man man of prayer; replacing Middle English bedeman. See bead, 's ¹, man

Example Sentences

One of a class of paupers or pensioners, or licensed beggars, in Scotland, to whim annually on the king's birthday were distributed certain alms, including a blue gown; a beadsman.

From Project Gutenberg

Goddess! vouchsafe this aged man his right, To be your beadsman now that Was your knight.”

From Project Gutenberg

On the contrary, they are foreseen from the first: that of the beadsman in the lines,

From Project Gutenberg

"Ye're no the first nor the hundredth that has put that question to the beadsman," replied the other, as he looked up with a side-glance in the face of the questioner.

From Project Gutenberg

And so he wore a large blue gown, like that of a beadsman, which slipped over his head, and was bound by a belt round his middle, with a stout woollen shirt underneath.

From Project Gutenberg