A person who is paid to pray for the soul of another

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Beadsman \Beads"man\, Bedesman \Bedes"man\, n.; pl. -men . A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray for the soul of its founder; an almsman. Whereby ye shall bind me to be your poor beadsman for ever unto Almighty God. --Fuller.

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Bedesman , or beadsman (Med. Eng. bede , prayer, from O. Eng. biddan , to pray; literally "a man of prayer") was generally a pensioner or almsman whose duty it was to pray for his benefactor. In Scotland there were public almsmen supported by the king and ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a person who is paid to pray for the soul of another [syn: bedesman ] [also: beadsmen (pl)]

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (lb en historic) A petitioner; someone who seeks some type of favour from another, usually from a superior. 2 A man employed in praying; especially one who prays for another. 3 (context historical England English) A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"one who prays for another's benefit," early 13c.; see bead (n.) + man (n.).