busk

[ buhsk ]

verb (used without object)

1. to entertain by dancing, singing, reciting, juggling, etc., on the street or in a public place.
2. Canadian. to make a showy or noisy appeal.

busk

¹

/ bʌsk /

verb

1. intr to make money by singing, dancing, acting, etc, in public places, as in front of theatre queues

busk

²

/ bʌsk /

verb

1. to make ready; prepare
2. to dress or adorn

busk

³

/ bʌsk /

noun

1. a strip of whalebone, wood, steel, etc, inserted into the front of a corset to stiffen it
2. archaic.
   the corset itself

Derived Forms

• ˈbusker, noun
• ˈbusking, noun

Other Words From

• busk·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of busk¹

First recorded in 1850–55; origin unclear; perhaps, if earlier sense was “to make a living by entertaining,” from Polari, from Italian buscare “to procure, get, gain,” from Spanish buscar “to look for, seek”

Word History and Origins

Origin of busk¹

C20: perhaps from Spanish buscar to look for

Origin of busk²

C14: from Old Norse būask , from būa to make ready, dwell; see bower ¹

Origin of busk³

C16: from Old French busc , probably from Old Italian busco splinter, stick, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

Leif and his house-carls, of whom there were ten present at the time, did not take long to busk them for the fight.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Busk gives a free adaptation rather than a translation of the German version, “Sagas,” p. 315.

From Project Gutenberg

Get thee home, Ralph; follow him, Jane; he shall not have so much as a busk-point from thee.

From Project Gutenberg

Septem spice plene pullulabant in culmo vno, C. busk, bush, for stalk is curious.

From Project Gutenberg

Any attempt at concealing pregnancy, by tight lacing and the application of a stronger busk, cannot be too severely condemned.

From Project Gutenberg