beadle

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“
and escorting a party of privileged individuals for whom seats have been reserved; and, as the beadle is always tall and stout, and always forces his way through in defiance of apparent impossibilities, a chorus of murmurs accompanies his progress.

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Definitions (9)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. noun A minor parish official formerly employed in an English church to usher and keep order during services.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (5)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

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Examples (50)

  • Then “the Books” were brought in by the stately beadle, and last of all “the Doctor” came hurriedly in, scrambled awkwardly up the pulpit stair, and covered his face with his black gloved hands. —  Principal Cairns
  • He looked out for the beadle, and directed him very peremptorily, “John, carry that dog out.” John, looked up to the pulpit, and with a very knowing expression, said, “Na, na, sir; I'se just mak him gae out on his ain four legs.” I have another story of canine misbehaviour in church. —  Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character
  • The beadle, also alluded to, was a prominent figure with Boz; but he has disappeared, with his huge cocked hat, scarlet waistcoat, and uniform. —  Pickwickian Studies
  • The beadle is a very grand personage, and his appearance sufficiently indicates this fact. —  The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 2, January, 1851
  • He strutted like a beadle, and carried his tail more tightly curled than a bishop's crook. —  The Peace Egg and Other tales
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English bedel, herald (from Old English bydel) and from Old French bedel (from Medieval Latin bedellus, from Old High German butil; see bheudh- in Indo-European roots).

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Early modern English also bedle, beedle (Scots beddal), from Middle English bedel, bidel, budel (with accent on first syllable), from Anglo-Saxon bydel (= Dutch beul = Old High German butil, Middle High German bütel, German büttel), a beadle, from beódan, announce, command, bid: see bid. The word merged in Middle English with bedel, bedell, with accent on the last syllable (whence the modern forms bedel, bedell), from Old French bedel, modern F. bedeau = Provencal Spanish Portuguese bedel = Italian bidello (Middle Latin bedellus, bidellus), from Teutonic The reg. modern form from Middle English bidel, from Anglo-Saxon bydel, would be modern biddle; it so exists in the proper name Biddle.
 

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/ˈbidl/
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