prayer beads

American  

[prair] / prɛər /

plural noun

1. a rosary.

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prayer beads British  

/ prɛə /

plural noun

1. RC Church the beads of the rosary

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Etymology

Origin of prayer beads

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

A teenager draws his slingshot, while fighters holding prayer beads take control of a Soviet tank, and peasants clutching pitchforks face Soviet soldiers.

From Barron's

Chong brought flowers, prayer beads and a tape of Buddhist chants to Hang’s bedside.

From Los Angeles Times

Shrouded in crimson robes, prayer beads moving rhythmically past his fingers, the monk walks towards us.

From BBC

"They were not just colleagues but friends", Munther says, nervously running prayer beads through his fingers.

From BBC

Sitting atop a lotus, the Hindu goddess of wisdom holds a book, prayer beads and a classical instrument called a veena in her four hands.

From BBC