bead
UK[biːd]US[biːd]
n
a small, usually round piece of glass, wood, plastic, etc., with a hole through it, used for making jewellery or for decoration
n
a small drop of liquid
Etymology
the word "bead" originates from the old english noun "gebed" or "bed," meaning "a prayer." this semantic connection arose because, before the advent of rosary beads, people would count their prayers using small pebbles or knots on a string. by the 14th century, the term transferred to the physical objects used for this counting, the small, perforated balls on a rosary. from this religious context, the meaning generalized to refer to any small, perforated decorative object, and later extended metaphorically to describe a small drop of liquid, such as a bead of sweat.
Analysis
the word "bead" is a simplex word of old english origin. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
she wore a necklace of brightly colored wooden beads.
a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
the craftsman carefully strung each bead onto the wire.