Also means
string of beads
Usage Note
Chapelet primarily refers to the Catholic rosary — the string of beads used to count prayers. By extension it means any long series: un chapelet d'insultes (a string of insults) or un chapelet d'îles (a chain of islands). The word is a diminutive of chapel, the old form of chapeau (hat), originally a garland of roses placed on statues of the Virgin.
Examples
"Elle égrenait son chapelet en silence."
Natural Translation
She was quietly fingering her rosary.
Literal Translation
She was telling her rosary beads in silence.
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