beadsman

American  

[beedz-muhn] / ˈbidz mən /

noun

Archaic.

plural

beadsmen

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

2. an inmate of a poorhouse; almsman.

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beadsman British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of beadsman

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

Example Sentences

It was resolved that Henry should be regulated by the warnings of the beadsman, whose sources of information would enable him to save the son of his old friend from ruin, if not death.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various

The kind care of Austin, the beadsman, had restored him to health and strength.

From The Prose Marmion A Tale of the Scottish Border by Jenkins, Sara D.

"It maun be!—it maun be!" responded the beadsman, as he stood by the dark walls of Falconcleugh mansion, and seemed to hesitate.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various

Overcome with the pressure of awe, he sat bound to his stone-seat, and turned his eye on the face of the beadsman, where he found an expression very different from what he expected.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various

In a few minutes, he saw the old beadsman, who he thought had betaken himself to his quarters at Pittenweem, come forth, in the company of a young woman rolled up in a cloak.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various