noun
- Plural of beadman; men employed to pray for the souls of others, typically supported by charitable institutions or endowments.
Usage: archaic; historical; chiefly British
Examples
- The beadmen were housed in the almshouse and received a modest stipend in exchange for their daily prayers.
- Medieval churches often employed beadmen to recite masses for deceased benefactors.
- The will stipulated that beadmen should be maintained at the chapel for perpetual intercession.
- Beadmen formed an important part of the charitable infrastructure in medieval and early modern England.