Bead

n. [A.-S. bead, prayer, D. bede, L. Ger. bede, bete, bethe, H. Ger. bit’e, from A.-S. biddan, Ger. bitten, beten, to pray, to bid. Beads are used by the Roman Catholics to count their prayers. One bead is dropped down a string every time a prayer is said, and thus marks the number of prayers repeated. Cf. Sp. & Pg. cuenta, conta, bead, from contar, to count.]

1Sense 1. A little perforated ball, to be strung on a thread, and worn for ornament; or used to count prayers, as by Roman Catholics and the Turks, whence the phrases to tell beads, to bid beads, &c., meaning to be at prayer.

2Sense 2. Any small globular body; as, (a.) A bubble on spirit. (b.) A drop of sweat or other liquid. “Cold beads of midnight dew.” Wordsworth. (c.) A small piece of metal on a fire-arm, used for taking aim (whence the expression to draw a bead, for to take aim). (d.) (Arch.) A small round molding, sometimes cut into short embossments, like pearls in a necklace; an astragal; — chiefly used in Grecian or Roman architecture. Oxf. Gloss.

To ornament or distinguish with beads or beading. ’Tis beaded with bubbles. H. Smith.