[bead] n [ME bede prayer, prayer bead, fr. OE bed, gebed prayer; akin to OE biddan to entreat, pray--more at bid] (bef. 12c) 1 a obs: prayer--usu. used in pl. b pl: a series of prayers and meditations made with a rosary
2: a small piece of material pierced for threading on a string or wire (as in a rosary) 3 pl a: rosary b: a necklace of beads or pearls
4: a small ball-shaped body: as a: a drop of sweat or blood b: a bubble formed in or on a beverage c: a small metal knob on a firearm used as a front sight d: a blob or a line of weld metal
5: a projecting rim, band, or molding
[2]bead vt (1577) 1: to furnish, adorn, or cover with beads or beading
2: to string together like beads ~ vi: to form into a bead