bead /ˈbiːd/noun 14verb 3forms 3phrases 1 noun14 •Each in a string of small balls making up the rosary or paternoster. •A small, round object. •A small, round object with a hole to allow it to be threaded on a cord or wire, particularly for decorative purposes. •Various small, round solid objects.Similar studies of rats have employed four different intracranial resorbable, slow sustained release systems—surgical foam, a thermal gel depot, a microcapsule or biodegradable polymer beads. — 2013 •A small drop of water or other liquid. •A bubble, in spirits. •A small, round ball at the end of a barrel of a gun used for aiming.She drew a bead on the target and fired. •(old-fashioned) A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron, manganese, etc., before the blowpipe.the iron bead, etc. •Knowledge sufficient to direct one's activities to a purpose.We now have a bead on the main technical issues for the project •A ridge, band, or molding. •A rigid edge of a tire that mounts it on a wheel; tire bead. •A narrow molding with semicircular section. •A decorative, convex, rounded profile (often a half-circle) cut into an edge or surface of wood, typically defined by a narrow, deep channel called a quirk. •(no longer used) Prayer, later especially with a rosary.That he must believe in the Pope;—go to Mass;—cross himself;—tell his beads;—be a good Catholick, and that this, in all conscience, was enough to carry him to heaven. — 1760 verb3 •To form into a bead.The raindrops beaded on the car's waxed finish. •To cause beads to form on (something).Only the hum of the miserable creatures stirred the heavy murk that beaded our foreheads with sweat as we pushed our way through it. — 1941 •To apply beads to.She spent the morning beading the gown. formsbeaded · beading · beads Phrases with bead take a bead onTo aim a gun at something.
