Bus"y (?), a. [OE. busi, bisi, AS. bysig; akin to D. bezig, LG. besig; cf. Skr. bhsh 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.
Shak.
2.
Constantly at work; diligent; active.
Busy hammers closing rivets up.
Shak.
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.
Shak.
4.
Officious; meddling; foolish active.
On meddling monkey, or on busy ape.
Shak.
5.
Careful; anxious.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Syn. -- Diligent; industrious; assiduous; active; occupied; engaged.
© Webster 1913.
Bus"y (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Busied (#); 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.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.