2. (R.C.Ch.) A series of prayers (see Note below) arranged to
be recited in order, on beads; also, a string of beads by
which the prayers are counted.
His idolized book, and the whole rosary of his
prayers. --Milton.
Note: A rosary consists of fifteen decades. Each decade
contains ten Ave Marias marked by small beads, preceded
by a Paternoster, marked by a larger bead, and
concluded by a Gloria Patri. Five decades make a
chaplet, a third part of the rosary. --Bp. Fitzpatrick.
3. A chapelet; a garland; a series or collection, as of
beautiful thoughts or of literary selections.
Every day propound to yourself a rosary or chaplet
of good works to present to God at night. --Jer.
Taylor.
4. A coin bearing the figure of a rose, fraudulently
circulated in Ireland in the 13th century for a penny.
{Rosary shell} (Zo["o]l.), any marine gastropod shell of the
genus {Monodonta}. They are top-shaped, bright-colored and
pearly.