bede: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low / ArchaicLiterary, historical, religious, archaic. Not used in contemporary everyday English except in historical contexts or deliberate archaisms.
Quick answer
What does “bede” mean?
A prayer, especially a prayer using beads.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A prayer, especially a prayer using beads; to pray; to offer a prayer.
An archaic or literary term for prayer; also refers to the act of praying, particularly in a formal or repeated manner as with rosary beads. Historically associated with piety and devotional practice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary regional difference. The word is equally archaic in both varieties. The compound 'bedesman' is slightly more likely to appear in British historical texts.
Connotations
Evokes medieval piety, Chaucer, and pre-Reformation England. Carries a solemn, antiquated feel.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern corpora. Appears almost exclusively in academic/historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bede” in a Sentence
to bede (archaic verb)a bede (noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bede” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old hermit would bede for hours in his cell.
- She beded silently for the king's safe return.
American English
- The pilgrims beded at the shrine for healing.
- He beded fervently, his words lost to the wind.
adverb
British English
- He prayed bede and fast.
- She spoke bede, her voice a mere murmur.
American English
- They knelt bede throughout the vigil.
- The monk worked bede and diligently.
adjective
British English
- The bede book was worn from use.
- They followed the ancient bede ritual.
American English
- A bede candle flickered in the chapel.
- The manuscript contained bede instructions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, or literary analysis of medieval texts.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bede”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bede”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bede”
- Using it as a modern synonym for 'prayer'.
- Pronouncing it like 'bed'.
- Confusing it with the modern adjective 'beady' (as in eyes).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 'Bede' originally meant 'prayer'. The small objects on a rosary used to count prayers became known as 'bede' (prayer) and later just 'bead'.
Only if you are aiming for a deliberately archaic, literary, or historical effect. It will sound strange and outdated in contemporary contexts.
A bedesman (or beadsman) was a pensioner or almsman, often in an almshouse, who was required to pray for the soul of his benefactor.
In meaning, it is not. 'Bede' is simply an archaic synonym for 'prayer'. 'Prayer' is the modern, standard term.
A prayer, especially a prayer using beads.
Bede is usually literary, historical, religious, archaic. not used in contemporary everyday english except in historical contexts or deliberate archaisms. in register.
Bede: in British English it is pronounced /biːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /biːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in modern use. Historically: 'to tell one's bedes' (to say one's prayers).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BEads' for 'BEde' – both are used for prayer.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRAYER IS A STRING OF BEADS (counting prayers as one counts beads).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'bede' be most appropriately used today?