Beads Are Named After Prayers
A bead is a small pierced ball for threading. The word originally meant a prayer, and the objects took its name.
A bead is a small pierced ball threaded on a string. The name comes from prayer, not from the object: Old English *gebed* meant a prayer, and people counting prayers on a rosary said they were *telling their beads*, meaning counting their prayers. The name transferred from the prayer to the ball used to keep track of it. *Bid* and *bead* share the root, and *telling* here means counting, as in a bank *teller*.
- A threaded ball. *A string of beads.*
- A drop of liquid. *Beads of sweat.*
- Tell your beads — count prayers. *Telling beads.*
- Draw a bead on — to aim. *Draw a bead.*
- Old English — *gebed*, a prayer. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | bead | A bead. |
| Plural | beads | Beads. |
| Verb | bead | Beaded. |
| Adjective | beady | Beady eyes. |
| Old English | gebed | A prayer. |
- She wore a string of glass beads.Jewellery.
- Beads of sweat on his forehead.Drops.
- Gebed meant a prayer.Etymology.
Where telling means counting
- Tell your beads — count your prayers
- Bank teller — one who counts money
- Untold — too many to be counted
- All told — counting everything
- Teller in an election — one who counts votes
Old English *gebed*, a prayer, from the root of *bid*. The sense transferred to the counting balls of a rosary.
Why are beads named after prayers?
People counting prayers on a rosary spoke of telling their beads, meaning their prayers. The word moved from the prayer to the ball marking it.
What does draw a bead on mean?
To take aim, from the small bead-shaped front sight on a rifle.