bead

(bēd)

1. a. A small, often round piece of material, such as glass, plastic, or wood, that is pierced for stringing or threading.
   b. beads A necklace made of such pieces.
   c. beads Roman Catholic Church A rosary.
   d. Obsolete A prayer. Often used in the plural.
2. A small, round object, especially:
   a. A drop of moisture: beads of sweat.
   b. A bubble of gas in a liquid.
   c. A small metal knob on the muzzle of a firearm, such as a rifle, used for sighting.
3. A strip of material, usually wood, with one molded edge placed flush against the inner part of a door or window frame.
4. Architecture
   a. A decoration consisting of a usually continuous series of small spherical shapes, as on a convex molding.
   b. Beading.
5. A projecting rim or lip, as on a pneumatic tire.
6. A line of continuously applied ductile material, such as solder or caulking compound.
7. Chemistry A globule of fused borax or other flux used in a bead test.