Part 1496

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<cs><col>To do one's business</col>, <cd>to ruin one. <mark>[Colloq.]</mark> <i>Wycherley</i>.</cd> -- <col>To make (a thing) one's business</col>, <cd>to occupy one's self with a thing as a special charge or duty.</cd> <mark>[Colloq.]</mark> -- <col>To mean business</col></mcol>, <cd>to be earnest. <mark>[Colloq.]</mark></cd></cs>

<syn>Syn. -- Affairs; concern; transaction; matter; engagement; employment; calling; occupation; trade; profession; vocation; office; duty.</syn>

<h1>Businesslike</h1> <Xpage=195>

<hw>Busi"ness*like`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>In the manner of one transacting business wisely and by right methods.</def>

<h1>Busk</h1> <Xpage=195>

<hw>Busk</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>busc</ets>, perh. fr. the hypothetical older form of E. <ets>bois</ets> wood, because the first busks were made of wood. See <er>Bush</er>, and cf. OF. <ets>busche</ets>, F. <ets>b\'96che</ets>, a piece or log of wood, fr. the same root.]</ety> <def>A thin, elastic strip of metal, whalebone, wood, or other material, worn in the front of a corset.</def>

<blockquote>Her long slit sleeves, stiff <b>busk</b>, puff verdingall, Is all that makes her thus angelical. <i>Marston.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Busk</h1> <Xpage=195>

<hw>Busk</hw>, <tt>v. t. & i.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Busked</er> <tt>(#)</tt>.]</wordforms> <ety>[OE. <ets>busken</ets>, fr. Icel. <ets>b<?/ask</ets> to make one's self ready, rexlexive of <ets>b<?/a</ets> to prepare, dwell. Cf. 8th <er>Bound</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To prepare; to make ready; to array; to dress.</def> <mark>[Scot. & Old Eng.]</mark>

<blockquote><b>Busk</b> you, <b>busk</b> you, my bonny, bonny bride. <i>Hamilton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To go; to direct one's course.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Ye might have <b>busked</b> you to Huntly banks. <i>Skelton.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Busked</h1> <Xpage=195>

<hw>Busked</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Wearing a busk.</def>

<i>Pollok.</i>

<h1>Busket</h1> <Xpage=195>

<hw>Bus"ket</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[See <er>Bosket</er>, <er>Bouquet</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A small bush; also, a sprig or bouquet.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Spenser.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A part of a garden devoted to shrubs.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<h1>Buskin</h1> <Xpage=195>

<hw>Bus"kin</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Prob. from OF. <ets>brossequin</ets>, or D. <ets>broosken</ets>. See <er>Brodekin</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>A strong, protecting covering for the foot, coming some distance up the leg.</def>

<blockquote>The hunted red deer's undressed hide Their hairy <b>buskins</b> well supplied. <i>Sir W. Scott.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A similar covering for the foot and leg, made with very thick soles, to give an appearance of elevation to the stature; -- worn by tragic actors in ancient Greece and Rome. Used as a symbol of tragedy, or the tragic drama, as distinguished from comedy.</def>

<blockquote>Great Fletcher never treads in <b>buskins</b> here, No greater Jonson dares in socks appear. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Buskined</h1> <Xpage=195>

<hw>Bus"kined</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Wearing buskins.</def>

<blockquote>Her <b>buskined</b> virgins traced the dewy lawn. <i>Pope.</i></blockquote>