Beads Strings of beads are used in the Roman Church on which to count the number of paters or aves recited. They are generally supposed to have been introduced by Peter the Hermit. The Saxon word bede means a prayer; it is the past participle of biddan, orare, to bid. Bead-roll was a list of those to be prayed for in the Church, and a beadsman one who prayed for another. From this use beads obtained their name. — Bergier, s.v. Chapelet. SEE ROSARY.