prayer beads

== English == === Etymology === An interesting example of a compound that is diachronically pleonastic, although not synchronically so; the head by itself originally meant the relevant meaning (see bead), but as the head's meaning broadened by extension, the compound then became necessary to specify the relevant meaning by narrowing down. === Pronunciation === === Noun === prayer beads pl (normally plural, singular prayer bead) A string of beads used by members of various religions to count prayers, chants, or devotions. Hyponyms: rosary (sometimes synonymous), paternoster ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== Further reading ==== prayer beads on Wikipedia.Wikipedia