bust

¹bust

noun \ˈbəst\

Definition of BUST

1

: a sculptured representation of the upper part of the human figure including the head and neck and usually part of the shoulders and breast

2

: the upper part of the human torso between neck and waist; especially : the breasts of a woman

Origin of BUST

French buste, from Italian busto, from Latin bustum tomb

First Known Use: 1645

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with BUST

crust, dust, gust, just, lust, must, musth, rust, thrust, trust

²bust

verb

bust·ed also bust bust·ing

Definition of BUST

transitive verb

1

a : to break or smash especially with force; also : to make inoperative <busted my watch>

b : to bring an end to : break up <helped bust trusts — Newsweek> —often used with up <better not try to bust up his happy marriage — Forbes>

c : to ruin financially

d : exhaust, wear out —used in phrases like bust one's butt to describe making a strenuous effort

e : to give a hard time to —often used in phrases like bust one's chops

2

: tame <bronco busting>

3

: demote

4

slang

a : arrest <busted for carrying guns — Saul Gottlieb>

b : raid <busted the apartment>

5

: hit, slug

intransitive verb

1

: to go broke

2

a : burst <laughing fit to bust>

b : break down

3

a : to lose at cards by exceeding a limit (as the count of 21 in blackjack)

b : to fail to complete a straight or flush in poker

Examples of BUST

1. He busted his watch when he fell.
2. I think the camera is busted.
3. Police busted 12 gang members on weapons charges.
4. She got busted for drug possession.
5. Two students got busted by the teacher for smoking in the bathroom.

Origin of BUST

alteration of burst

First Known Use: 1806

Related to BUST

Synonyms

break, demote, degrade, disrate, downgrade, reduce

Antonyms

advance, elevate, promote, raise

Related Words

can, cashier, dismiss, downsize, fire, lay off, sack; abase, debase, demean, humble, humiliate, lower

Near Antonyms

hire

³bust

noun

Definition of BUST

1

a : spree

b : a hearty drinking session <a beer bust>

2

a : a complete failure : flop

b : a business depression

3

: punch, sock

4

slang

a : a police raid

b : arrest 2

First Known Use of BUST

1840

⁴bust

adjective \ˈbəs-təd\

Definition of BUST

: bankrupt, broke <go bust>

Variants of BUST

bust or bust·ed \ˈbəs-təd\

First Known Use of BUST

1837