beadle
pronunciation
How to pronounce beadle in British English:
UK ['bi:dl]
How to pronounce beadle in American English:
US ['bidəl]
-
- Noun:
- a minor parish official who serves as an usher and preserves order at services
Word Origin
- beadle
- beadle: see bid
- beadle (n.)
- Old English bydel "herald, messenger from an authority, preacher," from beodan "to proclaim" (see bid). Sense of "warrant officer, tipstaff" was in late Old English; that of "petty parish officer," which has given the job a bad reputation, is from 1590s. French bédeau (Old French bedel, 12c.) is a Germanic loan-word.
Example
- 1. So noah ran through the streets as quickly as he could to fetch the beadle .
- 2. It was , in fact , mr bumble the beadle , oliver 's old enemy .
- 3. Preceded by the beadle , and attended by an irregular processionof stern-browed men and unkindly-visaged women , hester prynne set forth towards the place appointed for her punishment .
- 4. Mr brown low asked , when the beadle had explained the reason for his visit .
- 5. On o liver 's ninth birthday , mr bumble the beadle came to the house to see mrs mann .