1. a person who prays for another, especially one who is paid or endowed to pray for the soul of a benefactor
Usage: archaic; historical

Examples

• The wealthy merchant endowed a beadsman to pray for his soul after death.
• Medieval churches often employed beadsmen to offer prayers for their patrons.
• The old beadsman spent his days in the chapel, reciting prayers for the departed.
• In his will, the lord provided funds to support a beadsman at the local monastery.
• The beadsman’s duty was to say daily prayers for the souls of the benefactors.
• Historical records show that beadsmen were common in medieval religious institutions.