English Explanatory Dictionary

beadle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A parish constable, a uniformed minor (lay) official, who ushers and keeps order.
  2. An attendant to the minister.
  3. A warrant officer.
name
  1. A surname originating as an occupation for a court official.

Pronunciation

/ˈbiːdəl/ [ˈbɪi̯dəl] ~ [ˈbɪi̯dl̩] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-beadle.wav /ˈbiːɾəl/ [ˈbɪi̯ɾəl] ~ [ˈbɪi̯ɾl̩]

Word forms

beadle beadles bedel bedell bedral bethral betherel

Etymology

From Middle English bedel, bidel, from Old English bydel (“warrant officer, apparitor”), from Proto-West Germanic *budil, from Proto-Germanic *budilaz (“herald”), equivalent to bid + -le. Cognate with Dutch beul, German Büttel. More at bid.

Derived words

beadledom beadlehood beadleism beadlery beadleship beagle subbeadle underbeadle Beadle County
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