The action of busy, v. (in various senses); occupying of oneself or another. Also: an instance of this; spec. = busybodying, n.

Activity, occupation, business; the state of being actively employed; an instance of this. Also in there was busy, busy was had: there was bustle or…

Busy state or quality; bustling activity; = busyness, n.

The state or quality of being busy (in various senses); preoccupation, concern.

A particular action or course of action in which a person is engaged, esp. habitually; a particular job or profession; a particular pursuit or…

The action or fact of being occupied; engagement in something. Obsolete.

As a mass noun: action which occupies time and demands attention and effort; esp. serious occupation or work, as opposed to pleasure or recreation…

Leisure for, or devoted to, some special purpose; hence, occupation, business. Obsolete.

The action of employ, v.; (formerly also) †an instance of this (obsolete).

An activity in which a person engages; a pursuit. Also as a mass noun: activity, occupation. Now rare (somewhat archaic).

Occupation of a person's time or attention; the filling or spending of time, or a period of time. Cf. entertain, v. 14a 14c. Obsolete.

Something which a person, animal, or group chooses to do; an occupation, a pursuit. Frequently in plural.

In extended use: any activity undertaken as a means of making one's living. Also with the and modifying word or phrase.

Occupation, exercise. Obsolete. rare.

The fact of being engaged in any occupation; a piece of business requiring attention.

An activity in which a person (or occasionally thing) engages; a pursuit, an occupation. Cf. employment, n. 2. Now rare (chiefly poetic or archaic).

The state or condition of being busy; busy quality or activity; = business, n. I.

The state of being occupied or busy. Cf. occupation, n. 4. Obsolete.

colloquial (chiefly British and Irish English). More generally: any activity or behaviour, esp. when viewed as inappropriate, inconvenient, or…