Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†BEAD, n.¹ in phr. (See quot.)central, w.Rxb 1825 Jam.²:
To make a bead, “a Scottish phrase, applied when a ring of people is formed on any hurried or important business.”