beadsman

[ beedz-muh n ]

/ ˈbidz mən /

noun, plural beads·men. Archaic.

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

an inmate of a poorhouse; almsman.

Nearby words

Origin of beadsman

1200–50; bead's man man of prayer; replacing Middle English bedeman. See bead, 's¹, man¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for beadsman

Henry followed the beadsman, who hurried on towards Falconcleugh.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland|Various
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
Henry's silence was probably meant as a quickener of the beadsman's garrulity.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland|Various

From the title "Sir" being applied to Henry's beadsman, it seems that he was a priest, and we learn that he received 40s.
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

Word Origin and History for beadsman

beadsman

"one who prays for another's benefit," early 13c.; see bead (n.) + man (n.).