Describing small, round, shiny eyes that seem to stare intensely, often making someone look crafty or suspicious.
From 'bead,' which originally meant a small ball used in prayer counting, from Old English 'bead' meaning 'prayer.' The adjective developed because beads are small, round, and shiny like certain eyes, becoming common in the 1800s to describe that particular eye quality.
When you describe someone as having 'beady eyes,' you're comparing their eyes to actual beads—small, round, and hard-looking—which is why it usually means they look calculating or sneaky rather than friendly.
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