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beadsman. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
beadsman, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
beadsman in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
beadsman you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From earlier bedeman, from Middle English bedeman (“a petitioner”), equivalent to bead (“request, petition, prayer”) + -man.
Pronunciation
Noun
beadsman (plural beadsmen)
- (historical) A petitioner; someone who seeks some type of favour from another, usually from a superior.
- A man employed in praying; especially one who prays for another.
2020, Hilary Mantel, The Mirror and the Light, Fourth Estate, page 499:Good Lord Cromwell, stand my friend: exert yourself for Thomas Howard, who is your daily beadsman, your debtor for life.
- (historical, England) A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray for the soul of its founder; an almsman.
1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; , London: Iohn Williams , →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI):Whereby ye shall bind me to be […] your poor beadsman for ever unto Almighty God.
- (Scotland, historical) A public almsman; one who received alms from the king, and was expected in return to pray for the royal welfare and that of the state; a licensed beggar.
Anagrams