bead
/bi:d/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- a beaded molding for edging or decorating furniture
- a shape that is spherical and small
- he studied the shapes of low-viscosity drops
- beads of sweat on his forehead
- a small ball with a hole through the middle
Verb
- string together like beads
- decorate by sewing beads onto
- bead the wedding gown
- form into beads, as of water or sweat, for example