busk

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈbəsk 

ˈbu̇sk

plural -s

dialectal, British

: bush entry 1 sense 1

busk

2 of 5

verb

ˈbəsk 

ˈbu̇sk

-ed/-ing/-s

transitive verb

1

dialectal, British : to make ready : prepare

they're busking the Covenant for sea

—R. L. Stevenson

2

dialectal, British : to dress up : adorn

cowslips busk the brae

3

dialectal, British : to dress (flies) on hooks for fishing

intransitive verb

dialectal, British : to make oneself ready especially hastily : hurry up

busk

3 of 5

noun (2)

ˈbəsk 

plural -s

: a thin rigid strip (as of metal, whalebone, or wood) inserted in the front of a bodice or corset for stiffening and support used from the 16th to the 19th centuries

busk

4 of 5

noun (3)

ˈbəsk 

plural -s

: a Creek Indian festival of first-fruits and purification that was celebrated when the first green corn was edible and that marked the beginning of the new year

busk

5 of 5

intransitive verb

ˈbəsk 

-ed/-ing/-s

British

: to entertain especially by singing or reciting on the street or in a pub

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English

Verb

Middle English busken, from Old Norse būask to prepare oneself, get ready, from būa to prepare, make ready, dwell + -sk oneself, from sik (accusative) oneself

Noun (2)

Middle English busc, probably from Old Italian busco stick, mote, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German būsch cudgel

Noun (3)

Creek púskita fast, fasting

Intransitive verb

origin unknown

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Rhymes for busk

• brusque
• dusk
• husk
• musk
• tusk