Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
name
A surname originating as an occupation for a court official.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A parish constable, a uniformed minor (lay) official, who ushers and keeps order.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An attendant to the minister.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Scotland
Topics: ecclesiastical, lifestyle, religion
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A warrant officer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a minor parish official who serves a ceremonial function
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: official, functionary
noun
United States biologist who discovered how hereditary characteristics are transmitted by genes (1903-1989)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: George Beadle, George Wells Beadle
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: biologist, life scientist
History
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.
Across languages
8 source translations are retained for this English entry.
