string of beads
1
2.7
- noun
:
collar de cuentas
- The figures are frequently adorned with strings of beads around the neck and the waist, and some female figures are carved with strings of beads, necklaces, and beaded or textile aprons.
And now Elizabeth and Laura, two friends who had once loved the same woman, mingled with the Indians, all quite naked except for strings of beads.
- And now Elizabeth and Laura, two friends who had once loved the same woman, mingled with the Indians, all quite naked except for strings of beads.
Examples
-
There was a table and a rug and not much else, though the table was covered in figurines, exotic scarves, incense, and strings of beads.
Fiction book (2002) -
She is the one who decorates the figure with strings of beads—usually white to represent spiritual protection—hung around the waist, as small children often wear.
Academic text (2008) -
There are strings of beads around the waist.
Academic text (2006) -
Takoda gave me a feather with a string of beads.
Fiction book (2001) -
Dressed like most of the other aristocrats, he also wore several strings of beads.
Academic text (2006) -
Long strings of beads ending in tiny bells dangle over the ears and face of this dancer at the Shila Mabila ceremony.
Academic text (2006) -
She clutched a string of beads—a rosary, he guessed—and muttered words, her eyes shut.
Fiction book (1995) -
She wore a beautiful string of beads around her neck for the party.
-
The craft shop displayed a colorful string of beads that attracted many customers.
-
He carefully arranged a string of beads to use in his latest jewelry design.
Synonyms
494
1.3
Small decorative items like rings or necklaces that people wear to look nice
294
1.0
A piece of jewelry worn around the neck, often with a chain or beads
37
1.8
A line of beads or pearls worn around the neck
7
3.5
A string of beads or pearls worn around the neck
1
1.0
Small round pieces with a hole that you string to make jewelry
How Long
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional from 'string' (a strand or necklace) + 'of' + 'beads' — a B1 learner who knows those words will infer a strand/necklace made of beads. This simple noun-of-noun construction is cross-linguistically common and follows standard English patterns, making the MWE immediately understandable.
Etymology
String of beads is a simple picture: many beads threaded on a string so they hang together like a line of small bright dots. That's why it means 'a number of beads threaded together', often worn as 'jewelry' or used for 'decoration'.