\Ro"sa*ry\, n.; pl. {Rosaries}. [LL. rosarium a string of
beads, L. rosarium a place planted with roses, rosa a rose:
cf. F. rosaire. See {Rose}.]
1. A bed of roses, or place where roses grow. ``Thick
   rosaries of scented thorn.'' --Tennyson.
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.