beadsman

[ beedz-muhn ]

/ ˈbidz mən /

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noun, plural beads·men.Archaic.

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

an inmate of a poorhouse; almsman.

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Origin of beadsman

1200–50; bead's man man of prayer; replacing Middle English bedeman.See bead, 's¹, man

Words nearby beadsman

bead molding, bead plane, bead plant, beadroll, bead-ruby, beadsman, beadswoman, bead test, bead tree, beadwork, beady

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use beadsman in a sentence

What can be better touched than the figures of the beadsman and the old nurse Angela?
Life of John Keats|Sidney Colvin
A beadsman was an inmate of an almshouse who was bound to pray for the founders of the house.
English Narrative Poems|Various
"Only Carey, the wandering beadsman of Pittenweem," replied the son.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland|Various
Henry followed the beadsman, who hurried on towards Falconcleugh.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland|Various

A beadsman, it is scarcely requisite to remark, is an individual who is bound to pray for the person by whom he is supported.
The Privy Purse Expenses of King Henry VIII from November MDXXIX, to December MDXXXII|Nicholas Harris Nicolas

British Dictionary definitions for beadsman

beadsman

bedesman

/ (ˈbiːdzmən) /

noun plural -men

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

a person kept in an almshouse

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