beadsman

[beedz-muh n]

noun, plural beads·men. Archaic.

a person who prays for another as a duty, especially when paid.
an inmate of a poorhouse; almsman.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for beadsman

Historical Examples of beadsman

A beadsman was an inmate of an almshouse who was bound to pray for the founders of the house.
English Narrative Poems
Various
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
Henry's silence was probably meant as a quickener of the beadsman's garrulity.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland
Various
The one lair, as a beadsman of Pittenweem, you may have experienced ere now; the other you stand in small fears of.
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland
Various

British Dictionary definitions for beadsman

beadsman

bedesman

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

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