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r 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. Shak.

f with the affairs of others; a meddling person. And not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 1 Tim. v. 13.

To employ. [Obs.] Skelton.

Too busy; officious.

Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; -- opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.

To busy; to keep at work; to ply. [Obs.] She was skillful in applying his "humors." Sir P. Sidney.

To busy; to employ. [Obs.]

, a subject of contention or dispute. -- A bone to pick, something to investigate, or to busy one's self about; a dispute to be settled (with some one). -- Bone ash, the residue from calcined bones; -- used for making cupels, and for cleaning jewelry. -- Bone black (Chem.), the black, carbonaceous substance into whi…

In a busy manner.

re ever forming cabals. Factions belong especially to free governments, and are raised by busy and turbulent spirits for selfish porposes". Crabb.

The seat of government; the chief city or town in a country; a metropolis. "A busy and splendid capital" Macauly.

Any curiosity or article of virtu. The busy world, which does not hunt poets as collectors hunt for curios. F. Harrison.

th the meat, broiled and excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper. Men and women busy in baking, broiling, roasting oysters, and preparing devils on the gridiron. Sir W. Scott.

erless; dull; dreary; as, a dismal outlook; dismal stories; a dismal place. Full well the busy whisper, circling round, Convey'd the dismal tidings when he frowned. Goldsmith. A dismal description of an English November. Southey.

rped, a distaff on the throne. Dryden. Some say the crozier, some say the distaff was too busy. Howell.

economy, or to the management of household affairs. And doth employ her economic art And busy care, her household to preserve. Sir J. Davies.

tters; especially as they concern expense or disbursement; as, a careful economy. Himself busy in charge of the household economies. Froude.

the glebe. Dryden. To employ one's self, to apply or devote one's time and attention; to busy one's self.

Occupied; employed; busy.

o; to put in action habitually or constantly; to school or train; to exert repeatedly; to busy. Herein do I Exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence. Acts xxiv. 16.