beadsman

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From earlier bedeman, from Middle English bedeman (“a petitioner”), equivalent to bead (“request, petition, prayer”) +‎ -man.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈbiːdzmən/

Noun

beadsman (plural beadsmen)

  1. (historical) A petitioner; someone who seeks some type of favour from another, usually from a superior.
  2. 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.
  3. (historical, England) A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray for the soul of its founder; an almsman.[1]
    • 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.
  4. (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.

References

  1. ^ “beadsman”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

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