noun
- plural of beadsman: men who pray for others, especially those paid to pray for the souls of benefactors
Usage: archaic; historical
Examples
- The wealthy merchant hired beadsmen to pray for his soul after death.
- Medieval beadsmen lived in almshouses and offered prayers in exchange for food and shelter.
- The cathedral employed several beadsmen to conduct daily prayers for departed benefactors.
- These beadsmen spent their days reciting prayers and maintaining the chapel.
- The will specified that beadsmen should pray for the family’s souls in perpetuity.