noun pl. rosaries -·ries

1. R.C.Ch.
   1. a string of five (sometimes fifteen) sets of beads (one large bead and ten small beads in each set), used to count prayers as they are recited: at each large bead an Our Father is said; at each small one, a Hail Mary; at the end of each set, the lesser doxology
   2. this group of prayers
2. any string of beads used in praying

Etymology: ME rosarie < L rosarium, rose garden (in ML, rosary, garland of roses) < neut. of rosarius, of roses < rosa, rose