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n. 1. a. A small, often round piece of material, such as glass, plastic, or wood, that is pierced for stringing or threading. b. beads A necklace made of such pieces. c. beads Roman Catholic Church A rosary. d. often beads Obsolete A prayer. 2. A small, round object, especially: a. A drop of moisture: beads of sweat. b. A bubble of gas in a liquid. c. A small metal knob on the muzzle of a firearm, such as a rifle, used for sighting. 3. A strip of material, usually wood, with one molded edge placed flush against the inner part of a door or window frame. 4. Architecture a. A decoration consisting of a usually continuous series of small spherical shapes, as on a convex molding. b. Beading. 5. A projecting rim or lip, as on a pneumatic tire. 6. A line of continuously applied ductile material, such as solder or caulking compound. 7. Chemistry A globule of fused borax or other flux used in a bead test. tr. & intr.v. bead·ed, bead·ing, beads Idiom: To furnish with or collect into beads. draw/get a bead on To take careful aim at. [Middle English bede, rosary bead, prayer, from Old English bed, bedu, gebed, prayer; see gwhedh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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