Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small, often round object with a hole for threading: A bead is typically a small, decorative piece made of materials like glass, wood, or plastic, pierced for stringing on a necklace or rosary.
   • A small, round drop of liquid: A bead can also refer to a small, spherical drop of a liquid, such as sweat or dew.
   • A rounded molding: In architecture and furniture, a bead is a small, convex, often cylindrical molding used for edging or decoration.
   • The front sight of a gun: In firearms, a bead is the small, round metallic post at the end of the barrel used for aiming.

2. Verb:

   • To string together like beads: To thread or arrange objects in a line or series.
   • To decorate with beads: To sew or attach beads onto a surface as ornamentation.
   • To form into beads: For a liquid to gather into small, round drops.

Examples

• Noun:

  • She wore a necklace of colorful glass beads.
  • Tiny beads of condensation formed on the cold glass.
  • The antique chair had an intricate wooden bead along the edge of the seat.

• Verb:

  • The artisan beaded the necklace with great care.
  • She spent hours beading the intricate pattern onto the dress.
  • Sweat beaded on his forehead after the long run.

Advanced Usage

• "To draw/take a bead on something/someone": To aim carefully at a target, either literally with a weapon or figuratively with focused attention.

  • The sniper drew a bead on the target.
  • The company is taking a bead on the emerging market.

• "To tell/count one's beads": To say prayers using a rosary; to pray.

  • The old woman sat quietly, telling her beads.

Variants and Related Words

• Beading (n): 1. The craft or process of attaching beads. 2. A decoration or trim made of beads. 3. A beaded molding.

  • The beading on her gown was exquisite.

• Beady (adj): 1. Small, round, and gleaming like a bead (often describing eyes). 2. Covered with or consisting of beads.

  • The bird watched us with beady black eyes.

• Beadwork (n): Ornamental work done with beads.

  • The museum displayed traditional Native American beadwork.

Synonyms

• Noun (for a small object): Pellet, ball, sphere, globule.
• Noun (for a drop): Droplet, drop, globule.
• Verb (to form drops): Globule, form droplets, condense.

Related Phrases

• Bead curtain: A curtain made of strings of beads hanging close together.
  • The bead curtain rattled as she walked through it.

Idioms

• "To have/get a bead on something": To have a clear understanding, idea, or fix on something.
  • After reviewing the data, we finally have a bead on the source of the problem.

Noun

1. a beaded molding for edging or decorating furniture
2. a shape that is spherical and small
   • he studied the shapes of low-viscosity drops
   • beads of sweat on his forehead
3. a small ball with a hole through the middle

Verb

1. string together like beads
2. decorate by sewing beads onto
   • bead the wedding gown
3. form into beads, as of water or sweat, for example