Beadle

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: ˈbiːdəɫ
• Rhymes: -iːdÉ™l

Alternative forms

• bedel, bedell obsolete

Origin

From Middle English bedel, bidel, from Old English bydel ("warrant officer, apparitor"), from Proto-Germanic *budilaz ("herald"), from Proto-Germanic *beudaną ("to present, offer"), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewdʰ- ("to comprehend, make aware"). Akin to Old High German butil ("beadle"), (whence German Büttel), Old English bēodan ("to announce"). More at bid.

Full definition of beadle

Noun

1. a parish constable, a uniformed minor (lay) official, who ushers and keeps order
2. (Scotland, ecclesiastic) an attendant to the minister
3. a warrant officer

Derived terms

• beadledom
• beadleism
• beadlery
• beadleship