Definition of "bead" []

• A small, often round piece of material, such as glass, plastic, or wood, that is pierced for stringing or threading. (noun)
• A necklace made of such pieces. (noun)
• Roman Catholic Church A rosary. (noun)
• Obsolete A prayer. Often used in the plural. (noun)
• A small, round object, especially: (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Also, if you're using a shotgun with a plain bead, holding on the head completely obstructs your view of the bird."
• "Del, I don't know what kind of maidens you are used to kissing but a 3.5 inch turkey load tends to leave a "hickey" on my shoulder after each smooch ... even when that orange bead is held on the base of old Tom's warty neck!"
• "If the bead is on the mark whatever it is, is down."