Bead
[biːd] or [bid]
Definition
(noun.) a small ball with a hole through the middle.
(verb.) string together like beads.
(verb.) decorate by sewing beads onto; 'bead the wedding gown'.
(verb.) form into beads, as of water or sweat, for example.
Checker: Tanya--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A prayer.
(n.) A little perforated ball, to be strung on a thread, and worn for ornament; or used in a rosary for counting prayers, as by Roman Catholics and Mohammedans, whence the phrases to tell beads, to at one's beads, to bid beads, etc., meaning, to be at prayer.
(n.) Any small globular body
(n.) A bubble in spirits.
(n.) A drop of sweat or other liquid.
(n.) A small knob of metal on a firearm, used for taking aim (whence the expression to draw a bead, for, to take aim).
(n.) A small molding of rounded surface, the section being usually an arc of a circle. It may be continuous, or broken into short embossments.
(n.) A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron, manganese, etc., before the blowpipe; as, the borax bead; the iron bead, etc.
(v. t.) To ornament with beads or beading.
(v. i.) To form beadlike bubbles.
Checked by Jerome
Definition
n. a little ball pierced for stringing a series of which forms the rosary or paternoster used in counting the prayers recited: any small ball of glass amber &c. strung in a series to form a necklace: a bead-like drop: the small knob of metal forming the front-sight of a gun—whence the Americanism To draw a bead upon = to take aim at: (archit.) a narrow moulding with semicircular section.—v.t. to furnish with beads.—v.i. to form a bead or beads.—adj. Bead′ed furnished with beads.—ns. Bead′-house a house for poor people who were required to pray for the soul of the founder: an almshouse; Bead′ing a moulding in imitation of beads.—adj. Bead′-proof of such proof or strength as to carry beads or bubbles when shaken as alcoholic liquors.—ns. Bead′-roll in pre-Reformation times a roll or list of the dead to be prayed for hence a list of names a long series: a rosary; Beads′man Bedes′man one employed to pray for others or one endowed to do so: (Scot.) a public alms-man or licensed beggar:—fem. Beads′woman.—adj. Bead′y bead-like small and bright (of eyes): covered with beads or bubbles.—To say tell count one's beads to offer a prayer.
Typist: Toni
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of beads, foretells attention from those in elevated position will be shown you. To count beads, portends immaculate joy and contentment. To string them, you will obtain the favor of the rich. To scatter them, signifies loss of caste among your acquaintances.
Edited by Enrico
Examples
- Child thought it capital fun, went back next day, and swallowed another bead. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I wish my favorite playmate Kitty Bryant to have the blue silk apron and my gold-bead ring with a kiss. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I made it like those Beth invented, a big butterfly with a fat body, and black and yellow wings, worsted feelers, and bead eyes. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Child being fond of toys, cribbed the necklace, hid it, played with it, cut the string, and swallowed a bead. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The heart's blood must gem with red beads the brow of the combatant, before the wreath of victory rustles over it. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- There were light boxes on shelves in the counting-house, and strings of mock beads hanging up. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Far down the lake were fantastic pale strings of colour, like beads of wan fire, green and red and yellow. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- I saw ripe bilberries gleaming here and there, like jet beads in the heath: I gathered a handful and ate them with the bread. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- In seeking these articles, I encountered the beads of a pearl necklace Mr. Rochester had forced me to accept a few days ago. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Another little book or two were lying near, and a common basket of common fruit, and another basket full of strings of beads and tinsel scraps. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The King hears the reverend man, with a companion of his solitude, telling his beads within, and meekly requests of him quarters for the night. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- On these rods the counters are beaded. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Robert Jordan, stopping and looking back, saw the sweat beading on her forehead. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
Edited by Enrico