beads

1. Prayer, later especially with a rosary.
2. Each in a string of small balls making up the rosary or paternoster.
3. A small, round object.
4. (heading) A ridge, band, or molding.
5. Knowledge sufficient to direct one's activities to a purpose.

   We now have a bead on the main technical issues for the project

6. A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron, manganese, etc., before the blowpipe.

   the borax bead;  the iron bead, etc.

7. Front sight of a gun.

1. To form into a bead.

   The raindrops beaded on the car's waxed finish.

2. To apply beads to.

   She spent the morning beading the gown.

3. To form into a bead.

   He beaded some solder for the ends of the wire.

4. To cause beads to form on (something).

noun

A beaded necklace.