bedesman

3 definitions found

bedesman - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Beadsman \Beads"man\, Bedesman \Bedes"man\, n.; pl. -men.
     A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray
     for the soul of its founder; an almsman.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Whereby ye shall bind me to be your poor beadsman for
           ever unto Almighty God.                  --Fuller.
     [1913 Webster]

  Bedesman \Bedes"man\, n.
     Same as Beadsman. [Obs.]
     [1913 Webster]

bedesman - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  bedesman
      n 1: a person who is paid to pray for the soul of another [syn:
           beadsman, bedesman]