bead

Prayer, later especially with a rosary.

Each in a string of small balls making up the rosary or paternoster.

A small, round object.

(heading) A ridge, band, or molding.

Knowledge sufficient to direct one's activities to a purpose.

“We now have a bead on the main technical issues for the project”

A glassy drop of molten flux, as borax or microcosmic salt, used as a solvent and color test for several mineral earths and oxides, as of iron, manganese, etc., before the blowpipe.

“the borax bead;  the iron bead, etc.”

Front sight of a gun.

To form into a bead.

“The raindrops beaded on the car's waxed finish.”

To apply beads to.

“She spent the morning beading the gown.”

To form into a bead.

“He beaded some solder for the ends of the wire.”

To cause beads to form on (something).