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Webster 1913 Edition

Busy

Bus′y

(bĭz′zy̆)
,
Adj.
[OE.
busi
,
bisi
, AS.
bysig
; akin to D.
bezig
, LG.
besig
; cf. Skr.
bhūsh
to be active, busy.]
1.
Engaged in some business; hard at work (either habitually or only for the time being); occupied with serious affairs; not idle nor at leisure;
as, a
busy
merchant
.
Sir, my mistress sends you word
That she is
busy
, and she can not come.
Shakespeare
2.
Constantly at work; diligent; active.
Busy
hammers closing rivets up.
Shakespeare
Religious motives . . . are so
busy
in the heart.
Addison.
3.
Crowded with business or activities; – said of places and times;
as, a
busy
street
.
To-morrow is a
busy
day.
Shakespeare
4.
Officious; meddling; foolish active.
On meddling monkey, or on
busy
ape.
Shakespeare
5.
Careful; anxious.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Syn. – Diligent; industrious; assiduous; active; occupied; engaged.

Bus′y

(bĭz′zy̆)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Busied
(bĭz′zĭd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Busying
.]
[AS.
bysgian
.]
To make or keep busy; to employ; to engage or keep engaged; to occupy;
as, to
busy
one’s self with books
.
Be it thy course to
busy
giddy minds
With foreign quarrels.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Busy

BUSY

,
Adj.
biz'zy.
1.
Employed with constant attention; engaged about something that renders interruption inconvenient; as, a man is busy in posting his books.
My mistress is busy and cannot come.
2.
Actively employed; occupied without cessation; constantly in motion; as a busy bee.
3.
Active in that which does not concern the person; meddling with or prying into the affairs of others; officious; importunate;hence, troublesome; vexatious.
4.
Much occupied with employment; as a busy day.

BUSY

,
Verb.
T.
biz'zy. To employ with constant attention; to keep engaged; to make or keep busy; as, to busy one's self with books.
To be busied with genue and species.

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