Beadle

['biːd(ə)l]

Definition

(noun.) a minor parish official who serves a ceremonial function.

(noun.) United States biologist who discovered how hereditary characteristics are transmitted by genes (1903-1989).

Edited by Cathryn--From WordNet

Definition

(v.) A messenger or crier of a court; a servitor; one who cites or bids persons to appear and answer; -- called also an apparitor or summoner.

(v.) An officer in a university, who precedes public processions of officers and students.

(v.) An inferior parish officer in England having a variety of duties, as the preservation of order in church service, the chastisement of petty offenders, etc.

Typed by Anton

Definition

n. a mace-bearer (esp. of the 'bedels' or 'bedells ' official attendants of the Oxford and Cambridge vice-chancellors): a petty officer of a church college parish &c.: a parish officer with the power of punishing petty offenders: in Scotland used of the 'church-officer' attending on the clergyman: (obs.) a messenger or crier of a court.—ns. Bead′ledom Bead′lehood stupid officiousness; Bead′leship Bed′elship the office of beadle or bedel.

Edited by Carmella