Beadwork
/ˈbiːdˌwɜːrk/noun
Decorative work made by stringing, sewing, or weaving beads.
Did you know?The first English “beads” were literally prayer counters, from Old English bēd, meaning “prayer,” so beadwork began with devotion before it became decoration.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“to speak, say”
Old English
OE
bēd
“prayer; petition”
Old English
OE
gebed
“prayer, supplication”
Late Old English
OE
bede
“prayer bead; object for counting prayers”
Middle English
English
bead
“a small perforated object for stringing or ornament”
14th Century
English
beadwerk
“work or ornament made with beads”