I. ˈbēd noun
Etymology: Middle English bede prayer, prayer bead, from Old English bed, gebed prayer; akin to Old English biddan to entreat, pray — more at bid
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. obsolete : prayer — usually used in plural
b. plural : 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. plural
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
6. : a precise knowledge or understanding — used in such phrases as get a bead on
II. verb
Date: 1577
transitive verb
1. : to furnish, adorn, or cover with beads or beading
2. : to string together like beads
intransitive verb
: to form into a bead
• bead·er noun