| 释义 |
businessn. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: busy adj., -ness suffix. Etymology: < busy adj. + -ness suffix. Compare busying n. and busy n.1Disyllabic pronunciation, reflecting syncope of the unstressed second syllable of trisyllabic forms, is indicated by spellings without a medial vowel (β. forms) from the 16th cent. and is noted by orthoepists from the early 17th cent. (see further E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §306). For the pronunciation and spelling variation in the first syllable see discussion at busy adj. It is unlikely that there is any connection between this word and Anglo-Norman bosognes , besognes , busuines , etc. (plural) in the sense ‘affairs, business’, although it is possible that the two words were occasionally associated with one another. With to give business to at Phrases 3 compare classical Latin operam dare. †I. The quality or state of being busy. Obsolete. Used from Middle English down to the 18th cent., but now differentiated as busyness n. (with trisyllabic pronunciation). Later examples with spelling business which approximate to senses in this branch are usually extended from or influenced by branch II., and hence belong there.the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [noun] OE (Northumbrian) (headings to readings) xx Nec sollicitudinem escæ et uestis habendam sed regnum dei omnibus præferendum docet : ne bisignisse mettes & woedes hæbende ah ric godes allum fore læras. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 14105 ‘Martha, Martha’..‘In mikel bisenes ert þou’. a1425 (c1384) (Corpus Oxf.) (1850) Ezek. xii. 19 Thei shulen eete her breed in bisynes [L. solicitudine]. c1475 (?c1451) (Royal) (1860) 3 Put away thoughte and gret pensifnes..and besinesse. 1526 Gal. v. 17 From hence forth, let no man put me to busynes. 1574 St. Avstens Manuell in sig. Rvijv Leaue of thyne owne businesses..and with draw thy selfe from thy trouble some thoughtes. 1611 (1909) i. ii. 9 My thinckes the deposde kinge yor brothers sorrowe Should finde you busines ynoughe. the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] 1340 (1866) 56 Huyche bysinesse hi doþ to þan þet hare metes by wel agrayþed. c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham (1902) 88 Þat he healde hy [sc. the commandments] Wyþ al hys bysynysse. c1450 (a1400) Orologium Sapientiæ in (1888) 10 329 (MED) Þis hit is þat I haue longe-tyme..with alle myne bisynesse sowht. 1509 S. Hawes xiv. xiv In vayne they spende their besynes. ?1515 W. Harrington sig. D.iv The wyues..duty is to haue all the labour..and busynes aboutes theyr chyldren as longe as they ben of tendre age. the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun] > diligence or industriousness a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 5 By grete besynesse of þe writers of cronicles. a1425 (a1325) (Galba) l. 28748 (MED) Fasting and gude bisines Gers a man fle lustes of fless. ?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 60 Cristis bysynesse in prechynge. c1500 (a1449) J. Lydgate Isopes Fabules (Trin. Cambr.) l. 137 in (1934) ii. 571 (MED) Thryft commeþ of vertuous besynesse. c1550 (1979) 1 Distitute of..al verteus bysynes of body ande saul. 1611 Rom. xii. 11 Not slouthfull in busines [1881 Rev. Vers. in diligence not slothful] . View more context for this quotation 1696 E. Stillingfleet viii. 349 Apprehensive..not so much from the business of our enemies. 1713 T. Parnell in 21 Apr. 2/1 Behold the Raptures which a Writer knows..Behold his Business while he works the Mine. the mind > will > decision > resolution or determination > [noun] a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 159 (MED) Vplondisshe men..fondeþ wiþ greet besynesse for to speke Frensce, for to be i-tolde of. c1390 Cato's Distichs (Vernon) 333 in F. J. Furnivall (1901) ii. 580 Envye, wiþ gret bisinesse Beo-þenk þe forte fleo. c1400 in T. F. Simmons (1879) 122 Þorouȝ besynesse of preyers. c1450 J. Capgrave (1910) 16 Than sent sche praieres on-to heuene with gretter bisinesse. 1538 sig. Ivij Make me, accordynge to my busynes Partener of thy..glory endles. 5. Fuss, ado. Cf. sense 12b at branch II.the world > action or operation > difficulty > types of difficulty > [noun] > difficulty, trouble, or bother a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 449 (MED) [He] aleyde þis sorwe unneþe wiþ grete besynesse. c1450 (c1375) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 99 Ful mykel besynesse Had he er that he myght his lady wynne. 1528 W. Tyndale f. xxxvv What busynes had he to pacyfie his childerne? 1599 R. Bodenham in R. Hakluyt (new ed.) II. i. 100 I had no small businesse to cause my mariners to venture. 1693 J. Locke §157 His learning to read should be made as little Trouble or Business to him as might be. the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > commotion, disturbance, or disorder > [noun] 1514 Ld. Mountjoy in J. Strype (1721) I. i. 9 He feared that if they had not their pardons in likewise, they would either make business or they would avoid. 1526 Matt. xxvii. f. xlj When Pilate sawe..that moare busenes [1611 a tumult] was made. 1533 (new ed.) II. f. ccxxx For whose goodes was besynesse bytwen the kynges amner and the sheryffe. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. cccxliiv One of the Sergeaunts..made a busines with him as though he would haue caried him to pryson. 1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 65/2 in I Herevpon was Argadus sent forth..with a power to appease that businesse. the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun] a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xxxvi. 237 The herte hatte cor..of cura ‘besines’, for þerin [is] al besines and cause of wit and of konnynge. a1425 (c1395) (Royal) (1850) Ecclus. xli. 15 Haue thou bisynesse [L. curam habe] of a good name. a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 331 in (2002) i. 309 Whil any man spekes with grete besenes, Herken his wordis. 1504 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1504 §11. m. 9 Takyng uppon theym the charge and besynes for the assessyng of the seid somme. ?1529 R. Hyrde tr. J. L. Vives iii. ii. sig. q.iiiv All these busynes, as kepynge of the corce. the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > briskness or activeness a1398 (a1349) R. Rolle Commandm. of Love (Rawl.) in C. Horstmann (1895) I. 66 For to trauaile þare-aboute, is outrageous besenesse, þat he [sc. Jesus] forbedeth. c1500 (?a1437) (1939) clv (MED) The lytill squerell, full of besyness. 1616 G. Markham tr. C. Estienne et al. (rev. ed.) vii. xxii. 681 The businesse of his [sc. a dog's] taile. 1674 N. Fairfax 11 The bulkiness of the world, the business of motion. the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > acting in another's business or intervention > [noun] > being a busybody or officiousness a1466 in (2004) II. 320 Al by her awne bessynes of her tung. 1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iii, in 212/1 Faccious wayes full of busynes. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) iii. xxiii. sig. Xx1v O noble Sisters..now you be gone..what is left in that sex, but babling, and businesse? II. Something with which a person is busy or occupied. 9. the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] > business claiming attention a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. iv. 4 Eft I beheeld alle the trauailis of men, and the besynesses [a1425 L.V. bisynesses]. c1475 (?c1400) (1842) 77 (MED) Now al most is no worldly bysines þat ministres of þe auter are not inplied in. ?a1500 (?1458) in J. H. Parker (1859) III. ii. 41 (MED) Another blissed besines is brigges to make. 1535 2 Tim. ii. 4 No man that warreth tangleth him selfe with worldly busynesses. 1659 S. Cradock 171 Removing our hearts from our prayers to our worldly businesses and occasions. 1725 D. Defoe I. v. 57 Trade..ought to be follow'd as one of the great businesses of life. 1780 W. Cowper 338 The world, with all its..customs and its businesses Are no concern at all of his. 1853 A. J. Morris (title page) Wherever religion is a business, there will business be a religion. 1899 Oct. 482 We..are thrown into the cares, distractions and businesses of the world. society > occupation and work > [noun] the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) §621 He þt..casteth hym to no bisynesse ne ocupacioun shal falle in to pouerte. ?a1425 Chron. Papacy l. 13 in (1942) 41 175 Þe chirche of Rome bigan to..gate more of seculer bisenesse..þan of gostly deuocion. 1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in 826/1 Occupied in honorable businesse. 1600 C. Percy in C. M. Ingleby & L. T. Smith (1879) 38 Pestred with contrie businesse. 1653 I. Walton Ep. Ded. 3 To give rest to your mind, and devest your self of your more serious business . View more context for this quotation 1748 Ld. Chesterfield 16 Feb. (1932) (modernized text) III. 1102 I, who have been behind the scenes, both of pleasure and business. 1772 F. Burney (1988) I. 205 All Day I (a)m fagging at business—then in the evening I begin to live. 1836 H. Taylor xi. 79 It were to be wished that he should set apart from business..a sabbatical hour in each day. 1857 C. Heavysege (1869) 141 Business still should alternate with pleasure. 1918 H. Hayens 41 I was not joy-riding, but bent on serious business. 2000 L. Bagshawe (2003) xxxix. 339 Michael looked at her with his dark eyes... ‘This is business, not personal. I don't mix the two.’ the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] > labour or toil > done by animals 1707 J. Mortimer 153 Let them [sc. horses] be well kept, and then you may expect business from them. 1740 H. Bracken (ed. 2) II. v. 104 A Horse which eats only a moderate Quantity of Food, will do as much Business..[as] one that eats continually. 1809 W. Pitt 267 The old Leicestershire rams..will..continue to perform an almost unlimited quantity of business, to nine, ten, even twelve years old. 1825 J. C. Loudon 961 The bulls..if good stock-getters are kept on as long as they will do business. 1836 Dec. 316/2 Four horses will thresh three hundred bushels... One horse will do good business with the $25 machine. 10. society > occupation and work > duties > [noun] c1400 J. Gower (1901) II. 226 Thogh the heved of holy chirche..Ne do noght al his hole businesse..to sette pes and love. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1015 To the yate is she went..to greete the Markysesse And after that dooth forth hir bisynesse. c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1719 Bad hire seruauntis don hire besynesse. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) lviii. 199 It behoueth vs shortely to determyne oure besynes..I shall shew you what is best for vs ii to do. 1611 Gen. xxxix. 11 Ioseph went in to the house, to doe his busines . View more context for this quotation a1680 S. Butler (1759) I. 95 Love's Business is to love, and to enjoy. 1709 R. Steele No. 18. ⁋1 Because a Thing is every Body's Business, it is no Body's Business. 1711 C. Lockyer 108 Every Factory had formerly a Compradore, whose Business it was to buy in Provisions. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in I. 173 It is our business to keep the room aired and swept. 1878 T. H. Huxley (ed. 2) 183 The great business of the sea is..eating away the margin of the coast. 1921 8 Jan. 66/1 These men [sc. druggists] said that their business was to fill prescriptions and nothing else. 2001 J. S. Shivers xx. 257 The supervisor need not have..experience of all the difficulties... His or her business is to consult, analyze, explain. society > occupation and work > duties > [noun] > a duty or piece of business > errand a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) ii. l. 1174 Of hire bysynesse þis was on..Ful preuyly þis lettre for to rede. 1462 Extracts Rec. in W. Chambers (1872) 145 Ales than he be..in a neidful erand or besynes. 1534 N. Udall f. 28v What busynes hast thou there? or, what makest thou there? a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. iii. 64 If you knew my businesse, You would intreat me rather goe then stay. View more context for this quotation 1684 J. Bunyan ii. 72 What is your business here so late to Night? View more context for this quotation 1720 J. Clarke 18 His Business will have no Difficulty in it. 1797 M. Robinson III. 260 What business have you in this lady's chamber? 1833 Jan. 10/1 As you walk to the house of God,..ask yourselves what is your business there. 1988 C. Lane 17 What business brings you out on such a night? 2002 V. Flynn 125 A woman's voice came over the intercom and asked him his business. Rapp told her he had a flower delivery. the mind > will > intention > [noun] > intention or purpose > end, purpose, or object c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 522 To drawen folk to heuene..this was his bisynesse. c1450 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Fairf. 16) (1879) l. 20 Me to serue is al his besynesse. 1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville (Caxton) iii. iii. f. lj v Alle youre study & besinesse hath ben to defame tho that were better than ye. ?c1530 in F. J. Furnivall (1903) 57 Peyse wisely the besynes & the purpose of them wich ammynyster thy goodes. 12. society > occupation and work > duties > [noun] > a duty or piece of business 1476 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) II. 16 Cosyn, I longe..to se you her in London, whanne you have done your besenes. 1553 Bp. J. Pilkington in J. Strype (1721) III. i. xii. 114 Who is meeter for any of these businesses than Sir Iohn Lack-latin? 1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara (1582) 424 b The continuall buysines they haue do vex them. 1600 W. Shakespeare iii. ii. 396 We may effect this businesse, yet ere day. View more context for this quotation 1611 M. Smith in Transl. Pref. 11 In a businesse of moment a man feareth not the blame of conuenient slacknesse. 1720 A. Pope tr. Homer V. xix. 152 What I act, survey, And learn from thence the Business of the Day. 1791 T. Jefferson (1990) x. 420 That [bank] of Philadelphia..now does this business, by their post-note. 1851 T. Carlyle ii. vi. 207 On these..businesses..he was often running up to London. 1881 27 Dec. Attention was paid to the business of the evening. 1921 H. Walpole iii. iii. 215 I'm off on some business of my own for an hour or two. 1976 22 June 1/3 The Conservatives snarled up Government business by ceasing the pairing of MPs. 2007 (Nexis) 28 Apr. b5 Official business was conducted in Czech or Hungarian. the world > action or operation > difficulty > [noun] > that which is difficult > a difficult matter 1827 A. Woodrooffe 42 Didn't you know that the dress-making was quite a business of itself? 1843 T. Carlyle ii. xii. 140 If he had known what a business it was to govern the Abbey. 1889 5 Jan. 583/3 If those roots are in a well..it will be quite a business to attend to them. 1919 E. Holdsworth 296 What a business it was. 1920 D. H. Lawrence xii. 149 She hated the palaver Hermione made..She wanted anything but this fuss and business. 1995 C. Toynbee 65 Making beds, dusting and keeping the floors was quite a business. 13. society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession 1477 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) (1877) lf. 53v He that wele & dyligently vnderstondith to his bysenesse. 1548 H. Latimer sig. C.iiv Lette euery man do his owne busynes, and folow his callyng. 1694 R. L'Estrange (ed. 6) ccclxv. 385 They make Fooling their Business and their Livelihood. 1729 W. Law ii. 19 His every-day business will be a course of wise and reasonable actions. 1746 Ld. Chesterfield 25 Jan. (1932) (modernized text) III. 724 To apply yourself seriously to your business. 1747 181 Their Business is not only Saddle-making,..but to..sell all other Necessaries for the..Horseman. 1840 69 What is the nature of your business as a sloop-broker? 1882 Beecher in Apr. 381 One whose business it is to preach. 1949 Aug. 125 My business is lecturing on wildlife. 1977 W. McIlvanney xl. 186 ‘What's his business?’ ‘Same as any tout's. Other people's.’ 2001 Summer 27/1 I have listened to many top-quality bullshitters in my business. society > occupation and work > [noun] > a particular society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession > a particular business or profession 1724 J. C. F. de Hatzfeld xxi. 163 Their Parents are obliged to put them to inferior Trades or Businesses, instead of giving them an Education. 1827 T. Carlyle tr. J. L. Tieck in II. 89 I wished to be a fisherman, and tried that business for a time. 1845 J. R. McCulloch i. ii. 74 Taxes on the profits of particular businesses. 1856 J. A. Froude (1858) I. i. 51 Not allowing any man to work at a business for which he was unfit. 1878 W. S. Jevons 58 A good butcher makes high wages, because his business is a greasy one, besides being thought to be cruel. 1906 43 808 There is an old saying among railroad men..that ‘accidents are part of the business’. 2007 P. Green xiii. 267 Acting is a business that attracts neurotics and feeds their neuroses. 14. society > trade and finance > [noun] society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun] 1478 R. Cely Let. 28 Oct. in (1975) 33 I wyll ye com home,..for there schall be no besynese at Caleys thys marte tyme. 1599 J. Minsheu at Negociar To deale in businesse, to follow a trade. 1637 News-lett. C. Rossingham in S. Gardiner (1877) 84 The maulting business goes on, but with some restrictions. 1698 C. Davenant I. 12 The years 1686, 1687, and 1688, when our foreign business was at its height. 1725 D. Defoe I. iv. 56 If they do not get money, they gain knowledge in business. 1779 H. Arnot iv. iv. 532 Those abuses which had crept into the banking business. 1823 C. Lamb South-sea House in 4 To open a book of business, or bill of lading. 1878 Dec. 309/1 The rapid increase of the laundry business has led to the invention of a number of appliances for ironing. 1884 (Weekly ed.) 12 Sept. 7/3 They are evidently doing a very brisk business. 1897 ‘M. Twain’ iii. 53 When he destroyed the Church and burned the idols he did a mighty thing for civilization..but it was not ‘business.’ 1935 2 1 A great expansion of the life insurance business. 1948 ‘N. Shute’ iv. 92 The synthetic, phoney film business. 1952 S. Mead (title) How to succeed in business without really trying. 1966 12 Nov. 682/3 A growing use of economists in business and government. 2008 July 114/2 With more and more business coming online, the Internet underwent an enormous build-out. society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun] 1728 4 Jan. 8/2 A Book of Accounts relating to the Business of..Anthony Nicholes, Cheese-Factor. 1787 8 Jan. 4/4 (advt.) Shop and business to dispose of..together with a small low-rented house. 1788 223 The brazery, pewtery, brass-foundry, iron-foundry and iron-forgery businesses [of Wigan], find employment for a great number of hands. 1800 P. Hoare v. iii. 71 A newspaper business, eh? 1819 8 Mar. 1/1 A Medical Practitioner wishes to purchase a small business. 1856 J. Kavanagh viii. 142 I've got capital now, you see, and so I am going to set up a grocery business. 1878 19 Jan. 659/2 It takes five or six years to establish any good business on a firm basis. 1937 ii. 63 Owners of one-man businesses. 1988 1 37/1 Getting a small business started wasn't easy. 2002 22 Apr. 194/3 I try to imagine myself as..a savvy entrepreneur with her own catering business. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > theatre-going > theatregoer > [noun] > theatre audience society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > [noun] > takings or receipts > total of 1755 C. Charke 130 Business continuing very shocking. 1811 C. Mathews Let. 5 Dec. in A. Mathews (1838) II. viii. 173 They may promise a salary, and I am sure they would pay it; but can they promise business? 1837 in W. R. Alger (1877) I. 324 Will conclude with her benefit on Friday evening when she will probably have between $900 and $1,000... This is considered a very handsome business. 1895 12 Oct. 5/2 Hanlon brothers' Superba has played to ‘banner’ business. 1995 P. Hoare 158 The Vortex tour finished in Cleveland..to good business. 1859 8 Mar. 4 Three hundred and fifty-seven students are in attendance at this time, making it the largest and most popular business School ever organized in the United States. 1868 J. Hinton Let. Sept. in E. Hopkins (1878) xi. 247 I saw, with the greatest interest, a little of the higher schools at Dresden and Breslau... It is very striking to see how the Swiss and German boys are taught business as well as other things. 1889 26 Jan. 66/1 The author has for years been advocating the teaching of ‘business’ at school to English youths. 1922 Apr. 467/2 If you studied business in school or college, you probably studied rules and principles. 1975 50 234/2 Background on both management accounting and decision models for students who do not have the undergraduate degree in business. 2000 R. Lewis & R. Trevitt (ed. 3) Introd. p. ix Welcome to your new course, the Vocational A level in Business. society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > bridge > [noun] > actions or tactics > call > type of call 1913 E. V. Shepard 119 Bids of 1-Heart cannot be purely informatory, and it is unsafe to reckon them as meaning less than business. 1929 E. V. Shepard (1930) 67 All other doubles mean ‘business’, and are intended to collect a penalty. 1959 23 July 154/3 It is standard practice to regard a double as primarily for business. 2005 M. Horton 108 When East redoubled for business, North-South's system dictated that a pass would convey the message that South had no long suit to run to. 15. the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] > business claiming attention > an occupation or affair 1524 tr. J. de Bourbon sig. E.ii [It would have] ben ouer longe besynesse & in the meane tyme the turke myght haue chaunged his mynde. 1615 (1837) I. 201 Our greatest..impedimentis..[in the] fashious besines of Eglintoun. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 22 We would spend it [sc. an houre] in some words vpon that Businesse . View more context for this quotation a1674 T. Traherne (1675) 433 It is a poor business for a man to be secure, that has nothing to lose. 1706 No. 4012/1 A Business has lately happened which may..engage us in new Disputes. 1774 172 Une affaire de cœur, is at best a silly business, yet mighty necessary to trifle off that trifle, life. 1805 14 354 The vaccinator should..see his patient at least four times during the progress of the business. 1813 R. Southey II. 177 This boat business..might be part of a great plan of invasion. 1867 M. A. Mackarness 51 This is a bad business, Bob: if that 'ere doctor ain't here pretty quick-sticks,..it's all over with this chap. 1915 A. Huxley Nov. (1969) 85 What an odd business it was about the suppression of Lawrence's book, The Rainbow. 1939 ‘G. Orwell’ iv. vii. 283 Listen, Hilda. You've got hold of the wrong end of the stick about this business. 2003 S. Brett xi. 87 ‘The police haven't made an announcement to the press yet?’ ‘No... The whole business is still under wraps.’ society > armed hostility > armed encounter > [noun] > single combat or duel 1612 B. Jonson iii. iv. sig. G4 Kas. Where is this Doctor?.. Has he any skill? Fac. Wherein, Sir? Kas. To cary a busines, manage a Quarrell, fayrely, Vpon fit termes. View more context for this quotation 1616 B. Jonson Mercurie Vindicated 154 in I For that's the word of tincture, the businesse. Let me alone with the businesse, I will carrie the businesse. I doe vnderstand the businesse. I doe finde an affront i' the businesse. 1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier i. xv. 62 Don Florisel..knowing full well how to carry a businesse..avoided half of his blows. the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > [noun] > thing or material object a1684 J. Evelyn anno 1654 (1955) III. 96 Sir T. Fowlers Aviarie..is a poore buisinesse. 1697 tr. (1706) 231 Some Pastry business, which burns the Mouth, it is so excessively peppered. 1825 3 Jan. 3/2 A business of screws and iron wheels. 1884 S. Beckett xiv. 79 A French coffeepot,..[with] some complicated business of a sieve-like nature at the top. 1954 M. M. Keehn Let. 13 June in (2000) 41 Rehka showed me how to fix my hair Indian style, in a bun business at the back. 1989 P. Ackroyd 144 ‘What's that business over there?’ He pointed towards the tumulus. 16. the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] > business claiming attention > an occupation or affair > relating to specific person or thing 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart II. xxi. 43 It is longe now sith I made any mencion of the busynesses of farre countreis. 1526 Phil. 12 That my busynes [τὰ κατ' ἐμὲ] is happened unto the gretter furtherynge off the gospell. 1682 T. D'Urfey i. i. 1 Stealing, why that's the business of the nation. 1714 D. Manley 117 She now agrees with me, that Politicks is not the Business of a Woman. 1809 Duke of Wellington (1838) V. 198 The care of the Camp Kettles is..the business..of all the Bâtmen of the regiment. 1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato IV. 24 Virtue is the business of the legislator. 1991 Aug. 48 It is too easy to assume that, such is the fallen nature of mankind, reformation is the business of the next world. the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > acting in another's business or intervention > [noun] > interference or meddling > justified 1692 R. L'Estrange ccxx. 193 What business has a tortoise among the clouds? 1727 tr. 17 We have no business to intermeddle in other people's affairs. 1761 F. Sheridan II. 308 She has no business to go into her own lonely house again; it would be enough to kill her. a1859 C. Kingsley (1863) II. 311 That is no business of ours. 1878 H. Smart (ed. 3) ix. 177 A Captain of Dragoons has no business with a wife; but then we're always doing what we've no business to do. 1937 A. Christie viii. 88 Neither Annie nor I could see that it was any business of Miss Lawson's. 1982 R. Hall ii. i. 116 That's what travel does for you,..gadding about where civilized people have no business poking their noses. 2001 A. Marshall (2003) 171 ‘It's none of your business.’..‘Since it's about me..I'd say it is my business.’ the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] > fact or action of being concerned with 1759 S. Johnson II. xxix. 33 My business is with man. 1837 T. Carlyle II. i. i. 8 Madame, your business is with the children. 1872 Oct. 673/2 Our business is with those smaller, but terribly annoying vermin, the ‘dock rats’. 1921 6 237 Our business is with opinion rather than with events, with generalities rather than with details. 1998 A. Watson vi. 72 Our business is with acorns that fall from trees. 17. the world > relative properties > relationship > [noun] > contact, connection, or dealings 1611 Judges xviii. 7 They..had no businesse with any man. View more context for this quotation 1731 Feb. 53 An island has no business with the affairs of the continent, only as a friendly neighbour. 1843 T. Carlyle iv. vi. 382 What a shallow delusion is this..That any man..can keep himself apart from men, have ‘no business’ with them, except a cash-account ‘business’! 1903 Jan. 75 It seems hardly necessary to say anything about honesty; few will have any business with other than honest men. 2000 S. Newman 325 Do you know him? I understood that he had no business with your people. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse a1612 J. Harington (1618) 280 [The proctor] doth her [sc. his wife's] busines with great satisfaction. 1641 (new ed.) sig. N8v He does no businesse of thy wives, not hee: He does thy businesse (Coracine) for thee. a1687 P. Hughes in T. Brown et al. (1707) II. 98 Us Ladies, who like the Industrious Beaver, do our business with our tails. 1724 (ed. 9) 79 The Wife consented, and the Business being done with a Jirk, he gave her Directions how she should manage the Matter. 1762 T. Bridges I. i. 123 Shall whoring, lying Paris do Nell's business, and her husband go? 1884 J. Smithson tr. F. C. Forberg I. 21 Face downwards to her the man may do the woman's business, while she is half reclining. 1922 J. Joyce 508 There was a priest down here two nights ago to do his bit of business with his coat buttoned up. You needn't try to hide, I says to him. I know you've a Roman collar. 1955 W. Gaddis vii. 633 I gave her a three-and-a-half grain shot of sodium amytal and then I climbed on and gave her the business. 2006 J. Buckley 39 Smart move not even bothering to undress before doing the business. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > a play > [noun] > action as distinct from dialogue 1637 J. Rutter tr. P. Corneille To Rdr. sig. A4 Two Scenes I have left out, as being soliloquies and little pertinent to the business. 1672 Duke of Buckingham iii. 28 I see here is a great deal of Plot, Mr. Bayes. Bayes. Yes,..but we shall have a world of more business anon. 1781 R. B. Sheridan ii. ii The carpenters say, that unless there is some business put in here..they shan't have time to clear away the fort. 1860 Dec. 749 They give the literary composition the almost contemptuous title of ‘words’, while they dignify the movements of the characters with the name of ‘business’. 1893 I. Zangwill (ed. 3) xiii. 123 An actor who knows all the ‘business’ elaborated by his predecessors. 1923 P. G. Wodehouse vi. 78 ‘Bit o' business,’ she announced, at length... ‘Character stuff... Maids chew gum, you know.’ 2009 (Nexis) 11 Jan. m1 Bits of what actors call ‘business’—lighting a cigarette, picking up a drink. the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > [noun] 1655 A. Sparrow 44 This Sunday..the Epistle and Gospel treat about the same businesse, the birth of Christ. 1660 T. Stanley III. i. 56 The Pythagoreans.., were studiously addicted to the businesse of Numbers. a1690 J. Rushworth (1692) I. 42 When a Business was begun and in debate. 1756 J. Towne iii. 162 Now, the theme and business of the book must have been poorly executed indeed, if Moses, [etc.]. 1844 W. Ramsay in W. Smith I. 729/1 After a digression on the..worthlessness of physical pursuits, the real business of the piece is opened. 1912 A. Ransome 25 Before proceeding to the main business of the book,..I wish to set before myself and my readers a summary biography. 1997 14 101/1 The commencement of the stated business of the letter. society > occupation and work > duties > [noun] > official duties 1715 A. Pope tr. Homer I. Pref. My Lord Bolingbroke, not more distinguish'd in the great scenes of business, than in all the useful and entertaining parts of learning. 1781 S. Johnson Pope in VII. 14 Sir William Trumbal, who had been..secretary of state, when he retired from business, fixed his residence in the neighbourhood of Binfield. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being the best > [noun] > best thing or person 1868 Jan. 54 ‘Speak, Madame, I am all attention.’ ‘Now that's business,’ said the lady approvingly. 1904 27 Oct. 23/3 They know how to make a car look the business. See that hood. No one ever saw a hood like that on anything but a foreign car. 1908 Jan. 19/1 It looks like business,—that rakish, elongated hull, so pretty in its symmetrical simplicity. 1946 Nov. 177 Not much to look at, maybe, but for making blocks it's the business. 1984 19 July 21/7 Dressed in their swanky black kits, Fulham looked the business when they walloped Wigan in their inaugural game. 1998 14 Mar. 47/6 [The guitars] doubtless sound the business too. 2007 C. Hunter (2009) vii. 66 I'm really proud of these guys. I've only known them for a few days, but they really are the business. III. As a collective noun. the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Mustelidae (weasel, marten, otter, or badger) > [noun] > genus Mustela (weasel) > mustela furo (ferret) > collectively the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > order Diptera or flies > [noun] > member of > unspecified > swarm a1450 Terms Assoc. in (1936) 51 603 (MED) A besynes of feryttes. ?1478 (Caxton) (1822) 31 A besynes of flyes. 1486 sig. fvi A Besynes of ferettis. 1950 F. D. Smith & B. Wilcox 161 A drove of asses; cete of badgers;..kennel of dogs; business of ferrets. 2004 D. Duncan vi. 252 I'm sure his goons will go through the ship like a business of ferrets, and they'll want to look in our baggage. Phrases1670 tr. A. de Brunel 150 Don Lewis was no sooner infavour, and entred on business. 1770 100 I saw several men pass... They walked faster than people generally do on business. 1800 in (1801) 4 160 You step to a friend's house on business, near his dinner-hour. 1934 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ i. 23 Sergeant Sim Leslie had been in Duncairn, on business, like, that very forenoon. 2008 D. Lodge (2009) xi. 140 Gone are the days when I would travel down on business..to meet a publisher, paying my own fare but getting a bibulous free lunch. 1756 May 226/1 While they [sc. tradesmen] remain in business, they ought not to assume that exterior pomp and shew which is only becoming in men of fashion. 1842 F. Marryat I. ii. 22 My mother..before she had been a year in business, found that she was making money very fast. 1891 61 875/1 I will recommend you to my scholars, and all you will have to do is..arrange your hours, and you are in business. 1933 S. Walker 81 Most of them were staid men, had been in business for years. 2008 12 Mar. (Property section) 7/3 ‘We're in business!’ he trumpeted, striding into the office and waking up the rest of us. the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > do one's utmost 1340To do business [see sense 2]. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) Prol. l. 63 Yit woll I fonde To wryte and do my bisinesse. 1422 in F. J. Furnivall (1882) 51 They will do her besynesse to fulfyll goddes will. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 166 Þei werren full wisely & allweys don here besynes to destroyen hire enemyes. ?c1450 (?a1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 373 He wol þat þai ȝeue bissynes to þe londe & not to þe lawe. 1582 S. Batman xv. ix. 214 In Greece was nothing more noble..then that Citye [sc. Athens], while it gaue businesse to study of..wisdome. P4. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] ?1483 W. Caxton tr. iv. sig. i.vii I shal retorne to my hows for to doo and go aboute my besynesse. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach iv. f. 187 Yf they [sc. bees] goe about their businesse cheerefully. 1687 in J. R. Bloxham (1886) (modernized text) 210 He was a pert..man..and..might go about his business. 1749 H. Fielding VI. xvi. v. 47 Go about your Business; I hate the Sight of you. View more context for this quotation 1878 W. S. Jevons 62 He would..be told to go about his business. 1930 17 Apr. 10/5 Good Friday..ought never to have been made a mere public holiday. At such a time far better go about our business..and attend an evening sermon in our place of worship. 2003 G. Burn (2004) v. 170 People..went about their business every day trying not to breathe in the foul stench from the unburied..carcasses. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > send away or dismiss > unceremoniously 1728 C. Cibber i. i. 13 Sir John will certainly have it heard at the Bar of the House, and send him about his Business again. 1822 T. L. Peacock ix. 125 He had..sent all King Henry's saints about their business, or rather about their no-business. 1918 W. Lewis iv. vii. 179 He had the incredible impudence to wish to make up to me. I sent him about his business. 1999 E. Peters (2000) x. 10 I'd have sent him about his business, sir, only..he said you'd be sorry if you didn't see him. P5. the mind > attention and judgement > [phrase] > refrain from meddling the mind > attention and judgement > [phrase] > refrain from meddling > as injunction to others 1610 J. Healey tr. St. Augustine iv. xiv. 174 If Victory..be but propitious, let Ioue mind his own businesse, the nations shall come vnder. 1749 H. Fielding I. i. ii. 9 I must desire all those Critics to mind their own Business . View more context for this quotation 1814 M. Leadbeater & E. Shackleton 199 Let every one mind their own business. 1882 W. Besant I. iv. 109 ‘Mind your own business,’ growled his uncle. 1994 6 Feb. b1/1 When his mother got in his face about it, the boy told her to mind her own business. 1882 H. B. Hastings 16 I walked along, minding my own business, when, to my astonishment, Mr. C. drove past me, on his way to the next village. 1917 B. Hecht in P. Glassgold (2001) 222 I was walking along peaceably minding my own business, and he came up and soaked me. 1975 M. H. Wolf iii. 72 I was minding my own business..when this chicken-sized..bird ran right up to me and slammed into my head. 2007 A. Enright (2008) xxv. 162 He was sitting in the seat in front of us, minding his own business until Mossie pointed him out. 1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker sig. E3v Nay then they know their businesse, they neede no more instructions. 1693 H. Higden iv. 37 But Drunk or sober Mate, I know my business. 1779 No. 2. ⁋6 Mr. Creech..knew his business better than to satisfy their curiosity. 1841 6 Nov. 203/1 Let every amateur, professor, and enthusiastic raver concerning ‘native talent’ go down on his knees..for..a singer who knows her business. 1907 J. Conrad i. 3 But Mr. Verloc knew his business, and remained undisturbed. 1995 A. Hardy 410 The sausages come from a butcher who knows his business. the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > defecation or urination > [verb (intransitive)] 1596 J. Harington sig. P ij He loues an easie cleanly Iaxe maruellous wel,..[and] if one be his deare friend, he will let him tarrie with him, while he is at his businesse. 1630 in (1942) 86 He..turned downe his hose & did his busyness. ?1704 Mrs. Worthington Let. in E. Hamilton (1965) vi. 123 Cate hath bene verey ill she cept up a day or 2 she canot due har bisnes. 1866 18 One day, when I was ‘doing my business’, behind the barn, I heard the footsteps of a horse. 1993 May 56/2 Cats rarely do their business in their owners' gardens. 1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch 299 She bringeth sharpe edged swords to do the businesse. 1751 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 6 May in (1774) II. 143 An air, a tone of voice, a composure of countenance to mildness and softness, which are all easily acquired, do the business. 1864 ‘M. Twain’ (1981) II. 29 That coffee did the business for us. 1904 May 588/1 We will now describe the ‘sure enough’ engine—the part that Tom said really ‘did the business’. 1954 Aug. 6/2 With the motor turning at 1725 r.p.m., the jug flew to pieces... The third did the business. It was wrapped from top to bottom with the wire and, being perfectly balanced, lasted throughout my tests. 2005 C. Newbrook 15 He did the business, all right. He came of age with that project, he did. the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)] a1628 J. Preston Foure Serm. iii. 78 in (1629) Let vs labour..to make it our whole busines to feare God and keepe his Commandements. 1642 T. Fuller i. x. 25 Though going abroad sometimes about her businesse, she never makes it her businesse to go abroad. 1735 G. Berkeley 54 I have myself freely conversed with Mathematicians of all ranks,..as well as made it my business to be informed of the Opinions of others. 1888 J. Bryce I. xiv. 213 The class of professional ‘lobbyists’,..who make it their business to ‘see’ members. 1946 ‘P. Wentworth’ ix. 43 ‘I don't know how she knew.’ ‘She's the sort of woman who makes it her business to know.’ 2006 29 May 28/2 Katz..has made it her business to upset that monopoly. the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > destroy or ruin a person the world > life > death > killing > man-killing or homicide > murder or assassination > murder or assassinate [verb (transitive)] 1667 S. Pepys 16 Nov. (1974) VIII. 533 Lord Vaughan, that is so great against the Chancellor..was heard to swear..he would do my Lord Clarendon's business. 1759 S. Gardner Jrnl. 10 Dec. in (1860) II. 287/1 They did the business for him with an Iron Crow. 1773 O. Goldsmith v. 94 Oh, Tony, I'm killed... That last jolt that laid us against the quickset hedge has done my business. 1816 J. Austen I. viii. 122 Her visit to Abbey-Mill..seems to have done his business. He is desperately in love. View more context for this quotation 1891 J. M. Dixon 47 His last imprudent exposure of himself to the night air did the business for him. 1995 A. Norton (2001) 348 Flyin' things..did the business for the Captain's squad. P11. 1674 N. Fairfax i. 5 A Jews naked not doing business on his Rest-day. 1764 T. Legg (ed. 3) 70 Tallow-Chandlers who do Business privately in Back Cellars..to evade the King's Duty. 1858 T. De Quincey Secret Societies (rev. ed.) in VII. 256 It has done business as a swindle through thirty generations. 1890 G. N. McLean (title) How to do business. 1980 (Industr. ed.) 11 Aug. 44/2 It will be at least two years before the new holding company..is ready to do business. 2005 19 Apr. 43/3 Cybercrime threatens to undermine the confidence of consumers doing business online. 1749 W. Halfpenny 24 Master's closet or counting house to do business with workmen. 1869 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Agric. 1868 340 in (40th Congr., 3rd Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc.) XV An oyster merchant of Rochelle, doing business with the growers of the adjacent islands. 1986 10 Feb. 89/2 Mrs. Thatcher had described Gorbachev..as someone she could do business with. 2008 (National ed.) 4 May (Business section) 9/6 Others who do business with him say..he is..a superb ‘relationship manager’. 1841 C. H. Knox I. xi. 186 Harry struck up a great friendship with her for a time, and I think meant business. 1897 26 Oct. 5/2 ‘We mean business’, said one of her Majesty's ministers. 1988 D. Carpenter iv. 80 Sometimes you gotta let them know you mean business, otherwise they'll treat you like dirt. 2004 H. Strachan v. 48 Industrial sabotage to show the big industrialists of the régime that we mean business. 1868 (Internat. Workingmen's Assoc.) 394 To get down to business! It is high time that the workmen of all lands should unite. 1916 19 Nov. 45/5 With the..‘I told-you-so-ing’ out of our systems we can settle down to business. 1933 S. Walker 36 Jim met them, treated them courteously, gave them each a drink, and got down to business. 2005 A. Ohlin (2006) xii. 159 I suggested, politely, that we just get down to business. the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > engage in or busy oneself about 1873 3 Sept. 4/4 The National Administration is not in the business of either making or unmaking the Governors of Massachusetts or of any other State. 1882 10 May 153/3 We are not in the business of insulting good and true women such as the Sisters of Charity. 1909 W. C. Sheppard 356 Do you think I'm in the business of blowing up boats?.. Of course not! I had nothing to do with it. 1981 1 Mar. 13/6 Journalists..are in the business, after all, of making a fuss. 2000 R. W. Holder iv. 20 The Great Western Railway was not in the business of eating humble pie. P17. slang (chiefly U.S.). to give (a person) the business. 1919 (U.S. Marine Corps) July 16/1 Now that we have just got all through moppin' up Germany, along comes Mexico tryin' to give us the business. 1931 8 May 15/3 Three men trained their weapons on him. ‘Keep your trap shut or we'll give you the business,’ said one of them. c1950 R. McLeish Gorbals Story iii, in (Assoc. Sc. Lit. Stud.) (2008) 41 I'm goin to do him—I'm gonny give him the business. 1981 J. Higgins xii. 154 When they heard Luciano was coming, they didn't like it. They tried to give him the business. 2007 T. N. Baker 208 I seen that somebody must've given him the business, with that nice-size, buck-fifty slash running from his temple to his jawbone. 1936 (Chilton Publishing Co.) 8 Oct. 16/2 When I put the proposition to him he cut me off with a curt, ‘Can it.’ Mr. Traynor explained to me later that Willie wasn't giving me the business after all. 1940 5 Feb. ii. 9/1 Then Miss Mead, apparently informed of my woeful inability on the tennis courts, really gave me the business. 1957 J. Lake & H. Giblo 108 My troupe was anything but elderly. They were all young and snippy, so I gave them the business. ‘Button your lips when you get there.’ 1968 Jan. 49/1 Inmates gave him the business about having picked up a little weight, and the graying hair. 2005 17 July iv. 14/2 In Boston, politicians are more likely to ‘give you the business’, needling you in some personal way. 1936 11 Oct. (Editorial & News Feature section) 2/6 By the way, Inspector, about what time do you think Singer got the business, to be colloquial? 1952 24 Oct. 18/1 A distinguished Senator who had good reason to think he might be the Democratic presidential nominee until he got the business from Mr. Truman and his friends at the Democratic convention. 1952 ‘H. Grey’ xix. 153 According to all the..stories of hoodlums breaking away from the mob, he invariably gets the ‘business’ if he quits. 2009 V. Mazzarella xviii. 337 I'm sorry that the smell bothers you... I've already got the business from Geri, so you're not alone with your beef. 1952 ‘H. Grey’ xxi. 162 The Boss is up early in the morning taking care of business. 1967 7 Aug. 8/3 The slogan for this year's drive, ‘T C B—take care of business, go back to school’. 1977 M. Torres in R. P. Rettig et al. ii. 36/2 I am in the neighborhood maybe ten minutes and I get down with heroin. It was no problem to find the ounce man, look [sic] up one of my kits, and take care of business. 1994 Q. Tarantino & R. Avary iii. 128 Holding the sword pointed downward, Takakura Ken-style, he disappears through the red curtains to take care of business. 2008 C. Blatchford xxv. 163 Take my word for it, the motherfucker's down. I'm not talking just about violence either. He takes care of business real good, and he has downed a whole lot of motherfuckers in the last year. 1797 G. Colman iii. ii. 44 Business is business; and words you know butter no parsnips. 1858 W. M. Thackeray I. i. 4 Business is business, my dear young sir. 1890 G. N. McLean 152 It is a common saying in mercantile life that ‘Business is business’. This means that everything must turn upon the practical fact of dollars and cents. 1917 B. Braley Business is Business in Apr. 320 For Business is Business a fight for gold Where all that you do is fair. 2000 J. J. Connolly (2004) 3 We always make a..fuss but we always do it. Business is business. the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > in habitual or customary use [phrase] > usually or ordinarily > things proceeding as usual 1884 12 Apr. 178/2 The true way she could show respect to Her Majesty was by letting her shopmen carry on ‘business as usual’ for the benefit of Her Majesty's subjects. 1914 H. W. Wilson I. 84 ‘Business as usual’ was the motto of London. 2007 13 Nov. (Business section) b6/1 He attempted to convince shareholders and analysts it was business as usual. 1816 W. Wirt Let. 24 Sept. in J. P. Kennedy (1849) I. 415 Business first, and then pleasure, is my maxim.] 1831 4 346 They plod on, anxious to reach their destination, with an air that seems to say, ‘Business before pleasure’,—‘A penny saved is a penny earned’, [etc.] 1876 H. Alger ii. 21 I must bid you good-night, John. Business before pleasure, you know. 1918 Nov. 668/1 ‘Very often we cannot even dine together, he is always in such a hurry!’ Business before pleasure. 1976 ‘R. Hooker’ & W. E. Butterworth (1977) xiii. 170 Oh, how nice! And I think about you, too. But business before pleasure, as I always say. 2002 V. McDermid xxx. 360 ‘OK, business before pleasure,’ he said. ‘Let's go back to Berlin and make some plans.’ 1885–6 261/1 They make a specialty of funeral work, as it is called in the business. 1929 1 Sept. a3/1 An actor..naturally supposes that his accoutrement, as they say in the business, will be found in his dressing room. 1960 11 Sept. 37/4 At large jazz festivals the incursion of a minority of moronic roughnecks (known in the business as Herberts) is ruining the pleasure of the great majority. 1982 B. Sheldon iii. 60 Residential and hospital social work, where in the past, ‘train and hope’ programmes, as they are called in the business, have produced high levels of relapse. 1998 S. Fried i. i. 26 At least 60 percent of all doctor visits end with a prescription—or a ‘script’, as they say in the business. 2008 10 Jan. 36/1 Drama-docs, as they are known in the business, are a grey area when it comes to revealing the truth. the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > materials of topic > [noun] > of meeting > unlisted item 1910 7 Under any other business J. K. Greene, reported for Committee on resolution on retirement of Secretary Adin A. Hixon. 1935 G. K. Bucknall (ed. 7) xix. 152 Agenda..1. Minutes of last meeting..4. Overdue accounts..9. Any other business. 10. Next meeting. 1968 H. M. Taylor & A. G. M. Mears (ed. 7) xiv. 94 No major matter should ever be put to the vote under ‘Any other Business’. 2000 (Master Locksmiths' Assoc.) Feb. 37 Any member wishing to raise any items under any other business are required to register their questions with the Senior Executive. 1503 in N. H. Nicolas (1830) 101 For his costes lyeng in London aboutes the Quenes matiers and busynesses. 1611 Luke ii. 49 Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business ? View more context for this quotation 1757 W. Thompson 13 (note) To preside..over that consequential Branch of the King's Business. 1801 tr. ‘C. F. Damberger’ xii. 433 Some Moors, who, supposing me to be upon the king's business, made no attempt to detain me. 1919 G. R. Brown x. 190 His Majesty's business, methinks, rests more seriously upon his courtiers than upon himself. 2002 K. Whitaker (2003) ix. 168 The marquess of Ormonde—a courtier close to Charles II who often passed through Antwerp on his master's business. P28. Noun phrases with of business as a postmodifier. a. society > law > legal document > types of legal or official document > [noun] > document giving legal authority > specific 1617 F. Moryson ii. iii. 160 Now for letters of busines [It. lettre di facende], no man is so blockish that cannot easily dispatch them; when he hath told the businesse, and bid farewell, all is done. But if letters of complement bee not beautified with inuention, they are dull. 1662 S. Pepys 3 Oct. (1970) III. 212 It is a great folly to send letters of business by any friend that requires haste. 1771 I. 620/2 Merchants are provided with a large book..into which is copied verbatim every letter of business before it be sent off. 1862 J. W. Joyce v. 211 Royal Letters of Business would be directed from the Crown, requesting the two Convocations to take the necessary measures for the purpose proposed. 1908 Oct. 407 John Paston was a good deal away, and his wife had to send him frequent reports as to business matters... Her letters were thus necessarily, in the first place, letters of business. 2006 20 Oct. 21/2 The report made the historic recommendation that Letters of Business be issued to Convocations..to form..modifications relating to the conduct of Divine Worship. b. society > trade and finance > trader > merchant > [noun] society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > involved in public affairs society > law > legal profession > lawyer > [noun] > legal representative or agent 1640 J. Wadsworth tr. A. Colmenero de Ledesma 18 There is another..shorter and quicker way..for men of businesse, who cannot stay long about it. 1670 Bp. G. Burnet Let. in T. E. S. Clarke et al. (1907) III. v. 192 I am..resolved never to have anything to do more with men of business, particularly with any in opposition to the Court. 1712 R. Steele No. 466. ⁋3 I am a Man of Business, and obliged to be much abroad. 1753 D. Hume (ed. 4) I. xvi. 157 Pericles, a man of business, and a man of sense. 1779 No. 32 The remonstrances of his man of business, aided by very urgent requests from me. 1857 H. T. Buckle I. xi. 629 If we were all men of business our mental pleasures would be abridged. 1861 E. B. Ramsay (ed. 18) vi. 232 In Scotland it is usual to term the law-agent or man of business of any party his ‘doer’. 1902 L. Stephen IV. v. 188 Many men of business..enjoy in strict privacy a little whimpering over a novel. 1916 tr. P. Bourget in E. Wharton 69 [He] told me that his man of business was at the Dardanelles. ‘His wife looks after my property in his place.’ 2005 D. Cruickshank 220 An intent man of business scurries by. c. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > girl or woman 1677 W. Wycherley i. 11 I am no Visiter, but a Woman of Business. 1726 W. R. Chetwood 70 I had the Misfortune to be a Woman of Business, tho' young; for my Father had several Vessels at Sea. 1816 Mar. 117/1 My aunt,..a bustling woman of business, thought all time lost that was not spent behind her counter. 1922 L. S. Lyons & J. Wilson I. 175 The evolution of Mother Eve, of Helen,..of Joan of Arc,..finds expression in the modern professional woman, the woman of business. 2008 (Nexis) 16 May b1 [The story] is one that fascinates fellow men and women of business: the story of his ascent from the owner of one obscure gas station to one of the country's..richest men. d. 1681 T. De Laune v. 355 Letters go..to Inns of Court, and places of business in Town..10 or 12 times of the day. 1795 Mar. 201/2 He may open a work-shop, a counting-house, an office, or any other place of business, and pursue his calling. 1872 Apr. 458 One whose place of business is situate immediately opposite to a branch of the ‘Co-op.’ Institution. 1942 E. Ferber (new ed.) vii. 119 It still closed its places of business at noon for a two-hour siesta. 2008 P. Hensher 569 The fourth floor more resembled the inside of a drinkers' den than a respectable place of business. e. the world > time > reckoning of time > [noun] > a calculated space of time > office, business, or school hours 1693 J. Locke §117. 143 In the intervals between his hours of Business..he is not of himself inclin'd to laziness. 1739 Dec. 611/1 It would be worth while to read to you there, now and then, in an evening, before the hours of business. 1830 July 55/1 Tables..were spread, under the shade of the same beautiful trees which had protected the company during the hours of business. 1858 P. L. Simmonds 269/2 Over-time, Over-work, extra labour done beyond the regular fixed hours of business. 1995 D. G. Wetherell & I. R. A. Kmet 140 Hours of business were regulated through bylaws. f. 1704 44/2 This Sum if entirely lost, could not have Prejudiced the Replicants [sc. those replying to the Trustees] as a House of Business. 1799 June 157/1 He took a grand house in Wimpole-street,..his own house of business being at Lothbury. 1836 7 No. 34. 165 On reference to one of the respectable houses of business in London..they would readily name some trust-worthy person. 1900 17 Oct. 6/2 He was initiated at his father's house of business..into the mysteries of cordwaining. 1981 C. Nunn 135 No storms..had ever disturbed the limestone strength of these houses of business. g. 1712 R. Steele No. 484. ⁋4 The best Consolation that I can administer to those who cannot get into that Stroke of Business (as the Phrase is) which they deserve, is [etc.]. 1847 T. De Quincey Secret Societies in Aug. 520/1 The goddess, and her establishment of hoaxers at Eleusis, did a vast ‘stroke of business’ for more than six centuries. 1862 J. H. Burton 84 [People] who wanted to do a stroke of business with some old volume. 1904 J. Conrad 29 May (1988) III. 142 You know how he failed with Falk and yet managed to do a stroke of business afterwards. 1939 B. Natarajan in iv. xxxi. 251 A month later, the Council themselves did a stroke of business on their own account. P29. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > a play > [noun] > action as distinct from dialogue 1679 J. Dryden Pref. sig. a4 Manners never can be evident [in a comedy or tragedy], where the surprises of Fortune take up all the business of the Stage. 1763 D. Garrick 10 Aug. (1831) I. 163 If you mean by the warmth of temper you have accused me of to Mr. Johnson, a certain anxiety for the business of the stage, your accusation was well founded. 1897 G. B. Shaw in 13 Nov. 514/1 In ‘Hamlet’ he is quite enthusiastic about naturalness in the business of the stage. 1942 12 Sept. 161/1 ‘Business of the Stage’ denotes the movements, groupings, vocal inflections, etc., of the players, which are settled at rehearsal. The modern term is ‘Production’. 2002 M. Puchner iii. v. 128 Craig envisions an art of the theater that strategically ignores stage directions and thus prevents the writer from interfering in the business of the stage. Compounds C1. 1816 in (1879) I. 262 The old Corner Store, which, like his father, he had made the centre of all his business operations. 1825 Aug. 221/2 He is fond of an intermixture of sociality with business-dealings. 1846 T. B. Thorpe xix. 157 The inhabitants..became to rely upon the spontaneous productions of the soil, rather than upon any business investment, for their support. 1885 Dec. 1111 We would suggest a greatly extended use of memo. forms for internal use and external communication to business customers. 1888 A. Morrison 53/2 An accomplished and astute merchant, deservedly enjoying the confidence of the business community. 1890 in F. A. Saward 115 (advt.) As indispensable as the financial and credit rating reports, the account books and other necessary paraphernalia of a properly conducted business office. 1898 D. Ostrander iv. 121 It is claimed that this business strategy enabled this great oil company to control ninety-five per cent of the whole refining trade in this country. 1907 1 June 1113/1 They considered it a decided business bringer. 1932 W. Cather 23 But his neck, always clean shaved except in the business seasons, was not loose or baggy. 1944 J. H. Bennetts in R. Greenhalgh xiii. 398/1 Costing abstracts are a simple means of classifying and allocating all business expenses to the actual item of work for which they have been incurred. 1954 P. G. Wodehouse i. 7 She was in the middle of a very tricky business deal with the male half of the sketch. 1959 1 June 17/4 Since the war the business aircraft has become as much a part of the American way of life as baseball or Coca-Cola. 1971 30 49 Highly altruistic in the beginning of his business relationship with Tolstoy. 2011 C. Militello ix. 59 It would give an ‘in’ to a company that was very ruthless in their business approach. b. 1846 24 Oct. 13/1 His adventures always found a good market, and his consignments safe and energetic factors. All this he attributed to his own business acumen. 1968 E. Brill vi. 89 He had little of the sharp business acumen that goes with the making of money on a big scale, but this is not evidence that he or his family were ever on the poverty line. 2005 29 Jan. 10/1 Dale's true believers buy his personal-trainer packages for upwards of $12,000 each to learn his unique brand of business acumen. 1598 J. Florio 123/3 Facendiére, Facendaro, a dealer in business affaires, a negociator, an agent, a dealer. 1789 20 184 Mr. Leveret had been one of those close men who seldom entrust their family with their business-affairs. 1873 F. Hudson xxxviii. 611 These journals, so recalcitrating to each other in their columns, so full of rivalry in their business affairs. 1948 E. E. Smith iii. 33 Like two high executives..discussing business affairs during a chance meeting at one of their clubs. 2003 F. Shaw 372 My cousin was indeed sailing very close to the wind in his business affairs. society > authority > delegated authority > one having delegated or derived authority > [noun] > one who acts for another > in business matters 1831 19 Dec. 6/3 Travelling through the country as a business agent. 1901 S. Merwin & H. K. Webster i. 15 All that remained was to wait until the business agent made the next move. 2002 C. Anzilotti vi. 172 ‘I find it requires great care, attention and activity to attend properly to a Carolina Estate,’ she noted to George Morly, her business agent in London. 1842 July 99 At first his sensitive heart found it a sore task to call upon his old acquaintances and former business-associates, to inform them that their notes were protested. 1927 28 Mar. 1/3 Henry Morgenthau..and a group of business associates announced yesterday that they had purchased the control of the Photomaton. 2000 L. Crane 32 Rosen had gone into his ‘sell mode’, which he normally reserved for visiting business associates. 1824 H. G. Spafford (new ed.) 570/2 The important Villages..formed a sort of business-centre for the trade of a vast extent of country. 1913 22 Feb. 31/3 (advt.) In every important business center from Boston to 'Frisco you will find the sturdy Baker proving the supremacy of the electric over every other truck. 2003 May 8/2 Serving large populations in concentrated areas, such as downtowns, universities, and business centers. society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > types of body or spec. bodies > [noun] > committee > other types of committee 1825 R. H. Lee I. 109 He was either chairman, or a member..of every miscellaneous business committee. 1945 Mar. 107/1 Carrying the approval of..the Business Committee, the Heller report was released in January. 2003 L. Fowler v. 120 The Cheyenne and Arapaho had a business committee..that incorporated elderly chiefs from all of the communities. society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun] > efficiency in business 1849 E. G. Holland 350 Industry..is the basis of mental vigor and business-efficiency. 1926 A. Huxley iv. 316 Reduced to an Indian diet, Americans would be a good deal less interested than they actually are in business efficiency, uplift and the Charleston. 2005 May 152/3 Networks of suppliers, retailers and customers increased business efficiency. 1860 J. G. Holland vi. 106 Mrs. Ruggles, relieved by Arthur from a serious burden of care, was aware of his importance to her husband, not only as nurse, but as business executive. 1965 B. Pearce tr. E. Preobrazhensky 189 The red managers, proletarian engineers, and business executives have no monopoly of the means of production. 2011 2 Jan. 41/2 Today's lesson was SWOT analysis, by which business executives around the world assess a company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. 1881 1 Nov. 7/1 Gen. Alexander is in no sense a rate cutter, but he is emphatically a business getter, as the increase in the tonnage of the L. & N., under his management, clearly proves. 1886 18 Feb. 72/1 The company's latest statement shows that its officers and agents are industrious business getters. 1925 Dec. 394/1 The contact man is only indirectly—sometimes not at all—a business-getter. 2008 I. Chafetz xix. 110 Some lawyers are very good business getters while others don't do well with clients. 1825 Italian Legend in 1 56 Reminiscences of early love, which his business-life and business-habits had all been unable to efface. 1876 35 14/2 A..few farmers who have been brought up to business habits keep such accounts. 1907 11 382 The irregularity of the hours of our work tends to break up even the best business habit. 2010 T. Zender 196 The Newtonian business habits of companies and individuals..destroy the productivity of their businesses. 1823 22 Apr. 1 To let... A commodious business house situate..[in the] best trading part of the town. 1935 May 42/4 (advt.) In a recent five months 205 Strayer graduates obtained positions with leading business houses. 1992 B. Unsworth xvii. 128 The taverns and tap-houses frequented by clerks and warehousemen and the small functionaries of business houses. 1820 28 Oct. 230/1 His course appeals so directly to the business interests of all who would be distinguished at the bar or in our deliberative assemblies, that it cannot..fail to be numerously attended. 1922 S. High ii. 20 Whereas, formerly, the chief concern of American business interest was increased production, in the future it will be necessary to consider of first importance the matter of sale and distribution. 2002 E. Buchan (2003) xiv. 179 When Xavier died two years ago, he had numerous business interests, the bakery, property and everything. society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession > business life 1825 Italian Legend in 1 56 Reminiscences his early love, which his business-life and business-habits had all been unable to efface. 1868 W. Collins II. ii. 148 Female Boards..drew the breath of their business-life through the nostrils of Mr. Godfrey. 1951 M. McLuhan 137/2 People..could maintain an intimate link with ordinary social and business life. 2006 18 Apr. 19/1 [He] was distinctly un-Quakerish in every aspect of his personal and business life. 1807 84 Agents, who, with the address and the plain business management of any money-lender or auctioneer, are ready to find to venal electors the purchaser who will give the highest price. 1924 14 290 The essential theme of this volume is the separation of business management from the technical-industrial management of physical production. 2008 G. Mwakikagile ii. 144 After matriculating from Kabulonga High School in Lusaka, Zambia, she went on to study business management at a local college. 1867 1 June 342/1 It is pleasant to see the grim faces of great professional and business magnates relaxed now and then. 1946 9 Feb. 5/4 With the assistance of the State Department, the 40-year-old business magnate secured these privileges. 1991 J. Kingdom xii. 207 Those dominating both society and the municipal institutions were the local business magnates. 1801 Dec. 406/1 The Royal Exchange,..which was, about the middle of the last century, erected to favour the business-meetings of the merchants. 1950 2 Oct. 116/2 He almost never goes out in the evening, even for dinner, unless it is incidental to a business meeting. 2008 B. Blankenship xii. 75 While we're in New York, Mom schedules a couple of business meetings with clients. The appointments don't go well, she comes home frowning. 1902 Oct. 445 She had sought the director; the business mogul; the great John Coverton; the machine. 1959 Oct. 50/1 Those business moguls who still think private planes are just-so-much-tomfoolery for crazy millionaires and wild-eyed kids. 2011 A. Levine vi. 192 Many of Canada's most astute business moguls, such as the president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Edward Beatty, regarded the downturn in the economy as a temporary ‘adjustment’. 1836 C. A. Bartol 47 The lax business-morality whose hurtful vapors are breathed in like the surrounding air. 1902 19 65 To..stop all speculation in railway shares, would seem to be a distinct advance in the direction of business morality. 2009 C. Lane & J. Probert viii. 199 The business morality of their western buyers and the ability to trust them is, for Turkish suppliers, strongly related to their behaviour regarding price negotiation and to their payment methods. 1840 17 Oct. 8/2 The sacrifices which an active and intelligent man makes, of time, and business opportunities, in becoming a Town-Councillor. 1938 7 234/2 There is more to this than the mere question of business opportunity. 2011 A. F. Hyde ii. 126 This organized, legal, and successful venture represented a true competitor for McLoughlin's ambitions, but also a business opportunity. 1861 July 27/1 Other owners,..observing what is done by the new and business owners, have arrived at the conclusion that they also can obtain something more for their farms than they have done. 1962 25 June 16/7 How different is the motivation of an executive, with his long-term interest in salary growth, from that of a business owner on the one hand, or a manual worker on the other. 2011 M. Dixon xvi. 180 Too often I see business owners who think their company can run itself. This sounds like a rookie mistake, but I see it most often from business owners who have already enjoyed some success. ?1806 J. T. Kearney 7/1 The secretary of the defendant corporation issued a bogus stock certificate... This certificate he gave to his business partner. 1938 Apr. 55/1 (caption) A Rotary father-and-son combination with half a world between it is that of Fred Burley, London, England, and Arthur Burley, Sydney, Australia. They're business partners, too. 2006 A. Summers v. 60 Mr. Smith and Mr. Gardner-Brown, both pushing thirty-five, are two business partners who seem to cradle a fantasy to become real estate barons. 1823 10 Sept. It has often occurred to me, that men in trade adopt this plan for their business practice. 1921 7 Dec. 103/3 There are general merchants who handle jewelry as a side line,..who do not have the high ideals of strict business practice of the average jeweler. 2006 P. Williams-Forson i. i. 35 Though we are left devoid of a number of intimate details that would shed more light on their roles as early entrepreneurs, we are made aware of some of the tensions and contestations that surrounded their business practices. society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun] > business proposition 1841 14 July 1/1 This was a simple business proposition. 1909 ‘O. Henry’ (1916) 11 He had been used to having his business propositions heard of. 2007 June 60/2 Finchatton's business proposition..is diametrically opposed to their rivals. 1835 8 Aug. 217/1 If he can get a real business reason for passing her abode, it is—almost as good as a call. 1856 F. E. Smedley Harry Coverdale's Courtship lxv, in Feb. 122/1 For business reasons, Kate, who is left sole executrix, must immediately return to England. 1929 R. S. Lynd & H. M. Lynd xix. 307 In the main, business men join lodges today for business reasons. 2006 G. Malkani ix. 97 We figure if it were an arranged marriage, the two sides' parents'd probly already be mates or they'd wanna be mates for business reasons. 1818 Feb. 612/2 In the old business style. 1841 T. Carlyle i. 37 Snorro..almost in a brief business style, writes down, [etc.]. 1997 25 July c1/5 Mr. Scott's take-no-prisoners business style..has provoked a backlash of opposition. society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun] > a business transaction 1806 R. Semple I. i. 4 His father had completely wound up his business transactions. 1920 109 9/1 Plaintiff did not offer an original book of entries of business transactions, regularly kept. 2001 S. Hawking vi. 170 In the near future, most business transactions will probably be made..via the World Wide Web. 1833 23 Mar. 180/2 (table) Business Travel and Transportation of Goods between Philadelphia and Frankford, Holmesburg and other places on the Line. 1922 June 46/1 Hotel charges, meals and other sundry expenses incident to business travel. 2011 T. Renk ii. 109 We should have no problem getting across the border and I have a number of passport entries to Russia with my business travels. 1814 July 578/2 An improvement of great importance to the pleasure as well as to the business traveller in that part of Devonshire. 1940 23 Dec. 45/2 Business travelers also choose the safety, the comfort and low cost of Greyhound trips. 2008 Y. King tr. O. Wikström i. 16 An experienced business traveller, who has obviously been more or less forced by his wife to go on this trip, complains that people are so ‘awkward’. 1833 H. Martineau x. 159 Ashly came home at dusk one afternoon..from a business trip to the next town. 1961 I. Murdoch i. 14 I had in fact very rashly promised to take her with me on a business trip. 2006 (National ed.) 1 Nov. a1/2 No homework to oversee. No bedtimes to bird-dog. For many working mothers, business trips become mini-vacations. 1934 3 June ii. 1/4 Ability to enact the role of a business tycoon on the screen doesn't necessarily carry with it the ability to transfer those same talents to real life. 1972 7 92 The tendency to exaggerate the personal responsibility of public personages, politicians, and business tycoons and the like, for major decisions. 2010 D. B. Moon ii. 14 Everyone who knew him had always thought he'd shake the dust of Pleasant Grove off and move to the big city to become a business tycoon or something. 1838 Let. 12 Dec. in S. S. Bell (1843) I. 522 In June 1837, you were introduced to us by Mr Robert Watt, as being about to visit Canada..on a business venture. 1920 C. H. Ward xix. 379 Proposition ought not to be a substitute for every conceivable sort of business venture or difficulty or undertaking or chance or investment or puzzle. 2006 5 Sept. a22/1 Her business venture offers a window into what happens when a celebrity opens a..retail business. society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun] > business or commercial view 1820 June 525/1 In a business view, the Crusades were the means of vastly extending the knowledge which is indicative of civilization. 1922 Jan. 15/1 He doubts if then [sc. twenty-one years ago] ‘any man would truthfully have given his business views or experience. Business was carried on mysteriously.’ 2009 P. Lorange v. 108 (heading) Juxtaposing traditional and radical business views. a1861 A. H. Clough Dipsychus ii. i, in (1865) 170 Men's business-wits, the only sane things. 1920 M. Samuel tr. S. Asch iii. i. 180 He was employing all his business wits to get a synagogue for his townsfolk. 2004 G. Jones (2005) v. 87 Using his charm and business wits to stitch together connections..to keep the money flowing in. 1816 S. Dana 11 It is a law of providence well accredited in the business world, that ordinary industry should be rewarded with the ordinary fruits of industry. 1906 H. Rennolds xiv. 201 He has been elected President of the Blanker Banking Co., which means that his rating is first-class in the business world. 2009 20 Sept. 18/1 In the business world we now find unconferences and unmarketing. 1940 30 134 It is this common-sense attitude that has made modern politics essentially a business-oriented politics. 1965 12 Apr. 92/5 The role of advertising in a business-orientated society. 1982 23 Nov. 19 (advt.) Our Computer Centres offer you a full line of TRS-80 peripherals, software, and other business-related accessories, including telephone dialers and answerers. 1987 16 33 Rule by the military and business-based elements linked to U.S. corporations. 1998 (CPRE) Sept. 3/3 Concerns about the role of non-elected, business-dominated Regional Development Agencies. 2003 D. L. Scott (ed. 3) 6 The amount of taxable income that remains after certain allowed business-related deductions..are subtracted from an individual's gross income. C2. 1827 11 July 13/3 Twilled bombazets are much worn for business coats and pantaloons. 1856 B. Bouchier 70 Tom Ball's anticipations, therefore, of stepping into Mr. Carsdell's business-shoes were unceremoniously frustrated by what he always considered a personal unkindness and spite. 1888 Dec. 53/2 For a business shirt I prefer one that opens at the back. They wear better than the others, and look just as well. 1919 I. E. Mackay xi. 185 Rosme rose, brushing a crumb from her neat business skirt. 1953 2 June i. 3/8 Premier Tamasese of the Pacific Island of Samoa arrived in London wearing a sarong under a business jacket and carrying a smartly-furled umbrella. 2003 J. R. Lennon i. iv. 209 A few have ‘dressed down’ and wear shorts and golf shirts; others are in suit and tie or a business skirt and jacket. b. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > set or suit of clothes > [noun] > for specific purpose 1854 15 Aug. 3 Cadet Business Suits of elegant style and finish... Cadet College Suits [etc.]. 1904 ‘A. Dale’ iv. 66 Mr. Tamworth..affected that horrible garb known as a ‘business suit’, with a rude, short coat. 1932 E. Wilson iv. 30 A prosaic, gray business suit. 2001 Mar. 84/1 A garrulous man in dark glasses and rumpled business suit. 1842 21 May 4/3 (advt.) Second-rate qualities, recommended for business wear. 1891 June 205/1 The illustration displays a novel and at the same time suitable garb for business wear. 1922 Dec. 40/1 It [sc. the soft collar] kept on growing, working its way from the country club and outing negligee to business wear. 1993 Feb. 112 Clothing: casualwear, knitwear, denim and some businesswear; petite to plus sizes. 2010 T. O'Dell xxi. 292 Her business wear was equally colorful but in the form of pencil skirts and fitted suit jackets adorned with some time of beading, embroidery, or lace at the lapels and cuffs. C3. 1862 I. D. Guyer 144 It is necessary for our business students to learn in these schools how to carry the theories of business into practical life. 1891 27 Nov. 305/2 This is not only a text-book for business colleges and the business courses of schools and academies, but it is desirable for the desk of the business man. 1936 11 117/1 Students who complete a Business Major with a grade of B receive a ‘Certificate of Recommendation’ in the field in which they have shown marked competency. 1951 29 Apr. e9/4 New York City firms will provide work experience to business teachers enrolled as advanced students in the business education department of Teachers College, Columbia University. 1996 C. Anshaw i. 2 She took a business degree and, with money she made waitressing during semester breaks,..she bought a piece of a trendy restaurant on Armitage. 2006 K. Hart xi. 96 Tom is a business professor at Illinois State University, and Ellen works part-time at a library. b. society > education > place of education > college or university > [noun] > college > business college 1862 11 Sept. Bryant & Stratton's National Chain of Mercantile Colleges. The public will be glad to learn that these business colleges are still in active operation. 1903 A. D. McFaul xvi. 124 He had just graduated from a business college, and claimed to know how to do business ‘in a business-like manner’. 1998 28 Nov. (Weekend Suppl.) 52/4 From the battlements, a young guide proudly pointed out..the new nursing, agricultural and business colleges. society > education > place of education > college or university > [noun] > college > business college 1859Business School [see sense 14d]. 1966 ‘N. Blake’ i. 19 ‘What do you actually do in the Business School?’ ‘There are courses in economics, management, salesmanship, commercial history, theory of exchange, the ethical aspect of business—all that kind of thing.’ 2009 Dec. 33/3 In business school, my fellow students and I became fans of the idea of ‘consumption smoothing’. 1913 E. V. Shepard 58 Business bids are made with the intention of trying to win a contract. 1913 E. V. Shepard 115 The business redouble is made when able to fulfil a doubled contract. 1925 A. E. M. Foster 46 A double of four or more is always a ‘business’ double. 1927 6 Mar. 25 This Business Pass is one of the most formidable weapons. It converts the Informatory Double into a Business Double. 1999 B. Seagram & M. Smith 21 The traditional ‘penalty’ or ‘business’ double is still very handy. C5. society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun] society > education > learning > study > subject or object of study > [noun] > specific subjects 1852 14 Nov. While one [literary style] is represented by the giants of pure intellect, the other will be heralded by the masters of the art of business administration and address. 1904 Nov. 71/2 A course in business administration extending throughout the sophomore, junior, and senior years has been added to the course of study. 2011 E. M. Logan i. 5 Investing sufficient time educating ourselves in the fundamentals of business administration is essential. 1884 1 Aug. 493/1 I found afterwards that I had entertained an Angel—a business Angel—unawares, for I have done nearly £300 from that negative since. 1925 Oct. 249 As Langley, a great astronomer, had been his scientific inspiration, so William Thaw, a great philanthropist, became his business ‘angel’ and gave him the much needed financial advice and assistance. 1984 (Nexis) Mar. 143 Kramer finds most of his deals through friends and business associates. That, says a study by University of New Hampshire professor William E. Wetzel Jr., is precisely how most business angels operate. 2004 P. Reizin ii. 75 ‘Business angels’, those speculative investors who, instead of being taxed at forty per cent on the interest their pile of gold was accruing, preferred to take a tax-free punt on a new business if the business plan was ‘sweet’. society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > advertising > advertising specific thing > [noun] > tradesman 1821 25 Apr. 1/5 Bank Notes, Change Tickets, Business Cards, &c. &c. will be engraved and printed. 1864 C. Dickens (1865) I. i. xvii. 158 Bland strangers with business-cards meeting said servants in the streets. 1959 T. S. Eliot iii. 102 Here's my business card With the full address. 2005 D. Cowie 90 He gave me a business card and told me to give him a call on Monday. 1968 9 Nov. 3 (advt.) Business casual or casual business suits... Suits that complement your business acumen and commend your savoir-faire. 1988 (Nexis) 25 June k5 Friedlander's fashion philosophy revolves around ‘three styles of dressing’: High authority or power dressing... A day-to-day look she has labelled ‘business casual’... A day-to-evening concept. 1990 (Nexis) 29 Jan. (Business section) 2 They were told the dress code was ‘business casual attire’. 1994 (Electronic ed.) 2 Oct. We are finding more and more companies that started it on Friday in the summer, then went to Fridays all year long, and then to allowing business casual day in and day out. 2009 L. Alexander 269 Early thirties, she'd bet—no tie, but a nice shirt and jacket that told her he probably worked in a business-casual office nearby. 1830 J. F. Cooper II. xii. 244 The enquiries that appeared so much in character as that of reading the communications of his business correspondents. 1846 2 Sept. 140/5 The following facts, stated by a business correspondent of the N. E. Puritan, may at least suggest profitable reflection to such as, having the Bible in their hands,..still look for pecuniary profit in violating its divine command. 1913 13 Nov. 64/2 In effect, a reporter, specializing on business news for private circulation, the average business correspondent serves several firms in non-conflicting lines. 2001 R. Grassby vi. 243 Michael Mitford, writing to a business correspondent, signed ‘I am with all kind love your real friend’. 2004 B. Anderson i. 17 On August 20, 2003, while respected CNN business correspondent Rhonda Schaffler was giving a live update from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, the Atlanta control room added music to her report. 1986 8 Oct. 19/4 Many in information systems management saw users building business-critical systems on hardware and software acquired, owned and managed by the users themselves. 1998 25 June (Appointments section) 11/2 (advt.) If you want a role where you can make a measurable difference, join a company where your work is acknowledged as business-critical. 2009 C. M. Padgett i. 11 The effectiveness of The Project Success Method has been proven by its application to thousands of our clients' complex, business-critical projects since 1983. society > trade and finance > [noun] > cycle in trading 1858 15 Feb. There is a sort of business cycle of the same length of time. 1909 23 711 The Canadian ratios, likewise, show certain divergencies..which..seem to be connected with the course of business cycles. 2001 B. Lietaer 252 The fact that the quantity of Terra in circulation would be counter-cyclical to the business cycle would therefore tend to counteract the pro-cyclical nature of the conventional money system. society > occupation and work > work > times or periods of work > [noun] > day in which work is done society > occupation and work > work > times or periods of work > [noun] > portion of day allotted to work 1796 J. B. Gilchrist 324 The first day of the Fuslee [i.e. business] year there, provided the Astrologers who are consulted, consider it a lucky business day. 1843 V. E. Howard 6 479 The business day of the bank was between or within the business hours, and unless demand was made within those hours, it was not made on the day. 1946 S. J. Perelman 199 They seem to spend the business day mousing around each other. 1997 July 87/3 (advt.) Skips Located within seven business days. 2002 (Nexis) 29 Nov. 3 Carpentersville residents have until the end of the business day Tuesday to submit an apply for the village trustee seat. society > trade and finance > trading place > a centre of commerce > [noun] > commercial centre in town or city 1832 21 July 115/2 The Journal of Commerce remarks that few of the cases reported are in the business districts of the city. 1962 23 Feb. 28/2 Chicago was due for a renaissance. From the early '20s until the mid-'50s not one major building went up in the business district. 2011 C. Brown-Syed v. 58 From an expensive suite at the MLC Centre in the heart of Sydney's business district, the company had relocated to the high-tech enclave of St. Leonard's. the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > [noun] > adviser or counsellor > in business, etc. 1879 O. H. Strattan I. 162 Business doctors sufficiently skilled Could bring prosperity. 1899 3 93 A lawyer is a business doctor. 1901 6 Aug. 6/2 A very novel profession has been lately started in the City. It may be called that of the business doctor. 1969 4 May 2/7 He's pretty busy as a ‘Business Doctor’ there—runs a ‘think-tank’. 2008 P. Smiley 268 I did not know business doctors made house calls. the world > action or operation > [noun] > one who or that which > operative part 1884 3 Jan. The sword was poised with the business edge toward the fence-owners. 1935 9 211 The business edge of the chisel-ended arrow. 2009 K. Young 389 His thumb stroked across the business edge of the knife blade. 1878 11 Dec. Denver will go on increasing in population, influence and trade, until it holds in its hands the keys to a business empire, greater in extent and richer in resources than Napoleon ever saw. 1968 M. Dubofsky iii. 46 A trade-union offered no proper prospect for aggressive individuals who dreamed of possessing their own business empires. 2010 O. A. Togun iv. 62 He hoped that one day when he was grown, Francis would take over his vast business empire, so he made efforts to groom him appropriately. the mind > language > languages of the world > pidgins and creoles > [noun] > English-based > Pacific 1855 June 574 A majority of the Chinese who have dealings with us outsiders, speak what is called by them ‘pigeon or business English’. 1864 10 Sept. 111/1 By instantly assigning a good business reason, and in good business English—‘she was one of those first-rate customers that settled an account without discount’. 1925 Dec. 451/2 It bears all the earmarks of vague recollections of night-school classes in ‘business English’. 1951 26 25 The pidgin of Hawaii differs markedly from the pidgin English (‘business English’) of the China coast. 2010 M. Claypole 87 If they really needed to make phone calls, present facts and figures and enter into negotiations, they would have signed up for Business English. 1848 5 Aug. 123/1 Of course we cannot look..for cultivated intellect, nor still less for a high code of business-ethics. 1898 26 Nov. 645/2 ‘I have to sell what my customers buy; but I never call margarine butter.’ ‘I suppose that is the business ethic of it.’ 1937 23 Mar. 23/5 Its business ethics in the past have been founded upon careful management, combined with the policy of giving the utmost assistance to home-ownership. 2007 C. Greyling & U. Müller v. 67 Business ethics are established to protect shareholders and owners, employees, suppliers and customers from the unscrupulous behaviour of individuals. 1948 25 Oct. 1/7 (heading) Dewey to pledge labor, business friendly term. 1983 (Nexis) 21 July There is always a temptation to pull up stakes and move to a more ‘business-friendly’ state. 2001 M. Steel xi. 129 Mellish was ahead of his time as a Labour man, in that he was extremely business-friendly and would have nothing to do with the loony left image of the time. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > girl or woman 1840 15 Feb. 1/3 She is a smart business girl. 1918 M. Allerton i. 3 She gave a quick glance round the little cubby hole which represented the pride of the business girl—a room of her own. 1964 R. Crane 52 There, she could be artfully blended with ‘business girls’, with the prostitutes who flourished outside the..command post. 1987 J. Stevens ii. 67 The aims of the [Modern Women's] club were to provide a rest-room and meeting place..for ‘business girls’. 2000 W. E. B. Griffin iv. 357 ‘You think they're whores?’ ‘I would say there is a very strong probability that two young women sitting in a hotel bar smiling at two obvious foreigners are business girls.’ 1912 Sept. 248/1 We find that the Stock Market Graphic falls rapidly before the Business Graphic has attained its greatest height. 1984 Dec. 20/2 The four programs..consist of a wordprocessor, a spreadsheet, a data base manager and a business graphics designer. 2007 L. U. Fuller & R. C. Fuller i. 9 Business graphics, such as graphs, charts, and diagrams that reflect data or show how things work. 1969 20 Dec. 70/2 (heading) A critic twits business gurus. 1994 18 75/1 The nanny corporation is an unfortunate but predictable perversion of the remedies business gurus have prescribed for corporate America since the late 1970s. 2009 R. Blanchard viii. 449 Business gurus were starting to talk about the emergence of a different kind of economy..based on information handling technologies that would revolutionize business and business models. 1825 17 Dec. 1/4 It is just such a Business Communication, as is to be expected from the Business Head of a Business Government. 1832 J. B. Fraser III. x. 256 What, by Hal's own confession, would you have done without Glenvallich's good business head? 1921 May 13/2 They have since become court stenographers, reporters, assistants to business heads and in many cases executives of prominent concerns and institutions. 1922 M. Widdemer vi. 142 You know the boys don't want to run the store. They haven't business heads; they want to be doctors, both of them. 2004 Aug. 68/1 Deeply suspicious of businessmen, he is himself the business head of what is one of the biggest and most successful karate systems in Japan. 2010 R. McCrum (2011) iii. 71 Typically, it was not just a shrewd business head that inspired this move. the world > time > reckoning of time > [noun] > a calculated space of time > office, business, or school hours 1767 I. iii. 21 This constant application to study out of business hours, had given his master the highest opinion of him. 1839 C. Dickens xl. 390 You will be surprised..to witness this in business hours. 1906 J. Galsworthy 243 Incredible quantities of Forsytes, whose chief recreation out of business hours is the discussion of each other's affairs. 2007 Sept. 20/3 One snippy secretary refused admittance..during business hours on a weekday. 1892 31 Aug. 267 (advt.) All read it, and that is why it is the Great Business Incubator. There are other papers, of course, but there is but one Atlanta Journal. 1984 11 Feb. 8/4 ‘Business incubator’ units where first-time entrepreneurs could work on their ideas..before proceeding to the full production stage. 2003 S. D. Strauss xiv. 174 While all business incubators have the same goal in mind—helping to launch successful businesses—each is unique in its own way because many incubators specialize. 1914 Aug. 353/2 Use and occupancy insurance—or business interruption insurance, as it is sometimes termed—which is designed to provide for maintenance of revenue at a plant where the production has been stopped, either in whole or in part, as the result of fire. 1967 17 Jan. 44/3 The building was insured for $29,650,000, with a $3-million business interruption policy. 2003 K. N. Myers (ed. 3) v. 113 The extent to which your organization is dealing with disaster prevention and disaster recovery issues will affect business interruption premium rates. 1956 Oct. 86/1 The four-jet plane thus becomes the world's first business jet yet to be ordered. 1981 27 Feb. 905/1 Most orders for business jets and commuter aircraft (in the short-haul mid-size range) are now held by manufacturers in Europe. 2010 D. Goldstein xxv. 245 We can take my dad's business jet, it's at the airport corporate center, they always keep gas in it in case he needs to leave in a hurry. 1848 23 Sept. 4/2 His melancholy death leaves Mr. Disraeli the oratorical leader of the Opposition, but perhaps Mr. Bankes the business leader. 1868 E. Burritt 303 So it is with manufacturers, shipowners, and other business leaders of the land. 1930 T. Parsons tr. M. Weber i. 35 Business leaders and owners of capital,..are overwhelmingly Protestant. 2004 R. A. Bendis ix. 167 If John Voeller was the technical visionary behind BVSG, Gerald White was to become its business leader and the driver of BVSG's quest for an independent role. 2011 24 Oct. a16 The Treasury secretary..began talks with business leaders in January on a corporate tax overhaul. society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun] > business or commercial letter 1766 J. Rose Let. 8 Apr. in A. Tayler & H. Tayler (1925) ii. 31 I will have business letters also to write. 1872 ‘G. Eliot’ in J. W. Cross (1886) III. 159 Mr. Lewes makes a martyr of himself in writing all my notes and business letters. 1914 W. Owen 6 Mar. (1967) 237 I make money for this by doing a few translations..of business letters. 2000 43 36 Valuable evidence..has been furnished by the famous Jewish business letters from the Cairo geniza. society > occupation and work > business affairs > [adjective] > businesslike > having businesslike appearance 1823 11 Jan. 83/1 There is your..laudable business-looking horse. 1839 C. Dickens ii. 9 A business-looking table, and several business-looking people. 1922 Feb. 56 All the cards bore his personal signature. He used no typewriting, thus avoiding a business-looking postal. 2010 D. Schow 7 They saw a business-looking guy remove a business-looking case. the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > midday meal or lunch 1880 10 Apr. 4 (advt.) The Arcade... A first class business lunch always on hand. 1926 S. Lewis xxv. 289 I don't really know a soul..except for meeting them at business lunches. 1954 L. MacNeice xii. 76 The foregone Conclusion of a business lunch. 2004 Oct. 158/1 One has to skulk into the interior of two vehicles after a business lunch or date. 1884 05 Oct. 22/5 The business luncheon room down-stairs..and the ladies' parlor up-stairs have all been handsomely refitted. 1919 Sept. 221/2 (advt.) Coffee..Men like it,—they drink it at breakfast,—at the business luncheon,—at the conference dinner—and at the club banquet. 1963 P. Moyes v. 83 He knew enough of the protocol of business luncheons..not to be surprised..that Goring studiously avoided all reference to the matter in hand until the coffee arrived. 2010 J. Neufeld 83 She continued, of course, with the..business luncheons. society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > run a business [verb (transitive)] > manage 1917 E. Pound Let. 28 Dec. in (1988) 171 Do you want to business-manage? It is inconceivable to me that any sane person should want to business manage anything. a1935 R. Loraine in W. Loraine (1938) iv. 79 Mr. Frohman would finance the enterprise and business manage it entirely. 2010 G. C. Shaffer in 73 In-house counsel..helps business manage outside legal counsel. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > chairperson or manager 1845 G. P. Putnam 98 Fitzgreene Halleck, the business manager of a millionaire, despatches cargoes to the antipodes. 1852 17 306/2 Clerks, book-keepers, foremen, business-managers. 1904 Jan. 11 The White House has a business manager, although he is not given this title. 2004 31 May 11/1 He has since been linked to his business manager, the former heptathlete Jane Flemming. 1840 Aug. 579 Such social merriment and light-heartedness as are not to be witnessed among the business-minded English. 1912 Dec. 817/2 Young Jones yields to the advice of a business-minded friend and resolves to look the factory over before selling out. 1970 18 July 52/4 A lot of business-minded people are entering the industry who know the value of masses of people working together to fight different laws and taxes that are accessed on jukeboxes. 2009 S. Lee & P. L. Sinitiere iii. 75 He is business-minded, culture-affirming, and peculiarly American. society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun] society > trade and finance > merchandise > [noun] 1832 W. Capers Let. 1 May in W. M. Wightman (1858) 326 As I am not fashioned on a business model, I can, with a good conscience, excuse myself. 1880 25 Sept. 3/5 With a beautiful business model,..the hull is also most substantially constructed. 1967 17 Apr. 4/1 He was amused at the surprise that greeted his announcement that the hat he was wearing—a snappy, small-brimmed business model—was also a Stetson. 2006 A. Steffen et al. (2008) 386/1 Environmental and social issues are roiling the world of business, causing companies to rethink their products and services, their operations, even their business models. 1957 8 June 8/6 Plans for development of seven acres of land on East Street at the intersection of Lyman Street into a business park were announced today. 1984 Sept. 70/2 Future south county residential communities will be built around ‘urban clusters’ containing business parks, shopping malls and high-tech centers. 2009 M. Gardiner xxxv. 311 Jo..headed through a business park toward the airfield. The buildings, the ubiquitous white concrete and blue glass architecture of Silicon Valley, were shut for the weekend. the world > action or operation > [noun] > one who or that which > operative part society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession > business life 1778 5 436/2 Mr. Hancock..is very much engaged. The whole business part of the Congress lies upon his shoulders. 1838 J. S. Mill in 29 490 He [sc. Bentham] committed the mistake of supposing that the business part of human affairs was the whole of them. 1910 T. E. Lawrence 29 Aug. (1938) 86 The business part of the log with which you are going to block your staircase. 2004 K. Kilby 41 The business part of a cannon was called a barrel. 1833 15 Nov. Surveys and Plans of Estates taken, and every facility will be rendered to conduct all Sales entrusted to their Care, on a Business Plan. 1917 F. L. Waldo ii. 13 ‘Well, what would you like to be doing?’ was Ruskin's reply. ‘Something to provide better homes for the poor,’ was the girl's answer... ‘Have you a business plan?’ was his challenge. 1990 J. Eberts & T. Ilott xlviii. 514 Put simply, Goldcrest's business plan, which envisaged a doubling of turnover, from £14 million to £30 million, through 1986 and 1987, depended on the outcome of the present negotiations with third-party investors and Credit Lyonnais. 2004 8 Mar. 43/3 Working with Wizard, Deborah drew up a fail-safe business plan, which meant targeting the right market and getting the offer right. 1988 Dec. 44/2 The risk assessment went well, and Gamache used Index for the next phase of the project: the business-process redesign. 1989 (Nexis) 20 Mar. 73 Leader in business process redesign via information technology. 2000 S. A. Shull & M. E. Sharpe vi. 174 In 1995 it embarked on a business process redesign (BPR) to improve on its implementation efforts. 2007 N. F. Kock iii. 118 The higher that investment, the less likely it is that business process redesign will be considered. 1990 24 Dec. 15 It should be business process re-engineering so we can streamline our companies to reduce the organizational cost of service. 2001 C. Coker v. 100 And it is in Canada that there is an ever-increasing emphasis in the military on business process re-engineering supported by computerised information technology. 1837 J. A. Bolles i. 8 Under the dictatorship of Sylla,..the legal rate [sc. of interest] was three per cent. The prevalent business rate was more than four times as high. 1922 R. F. Yates & L. G. Pacent xvi. 281 It must be understood, of course, that the normal business rate is far too high for news despatches, which must be sent as cheaply as possible. 1966 26 Feb. 9/3 If extra-political justification is sought for that discrimination it may be found in the fact that business rates are chargeable to tax while domestic rates are not. 2006 E. Whitmer xi. 189 Didn't we get all our new fangled cell phones at the business rate? 2010 P. Kendall ii. 22 A dental practice, like any other business, will be assessed for business rates, and that assessment will take into account location, property values and local economic conditions. 1842 9 June 4/6 The following business reply has already been received by Mr. Allday. 1924 8 May 4/3 (heading) Half-cent business reply card now available. 1932 29 Nov. 16/1 The Business Reply Service, which enables a person who wishes to obtain a reply from a client to do so without putting him to the expense of paying postage. 1990 C. V. Allen (1999) iv. 38 The rest of the sleeve was taken up with more letters, the majority business replies. 2010 S. Martini xxvii. 302 Pieces of junk mail, one from a furniture company, another from a financial consultant looking for business, and a business reply envelope from the postal service. society > trade and finance > trading place > a centre of commerce > [noun] > commercial centre in town or city society > trade and finance > management of money > management of national resources > [noun] > political economy > specific sector of the economy 1918 1 Oct. 1/6 heading 1,000 canvassers launch bond drive in business sector. 1934 19 Aug. iii. 7/3 It is likely that further immediate gains in the farm sector must await gains in the industrial and business sector. 1998 1 Aug. 60/2 (advt.) Based in the West Country and working within the following business sectors: groceries, chilled products, meats, and produce, your role will be to develop and maintain the quality of own label products. 2011 J. Bregazzi 74 Perrache station with its ramps and escalators that lead directly into the business sector of the city. 1966 18 Dec. 18 f/2 (advt.) Will also detail elements for business start up and perform sales development on new products. 1989 Spring 50/1 The Eighties have seen the rekindling of the enterprise culture in Britain, and with it an upsurge in the number of business start-ups. 2007 N. Rosen vii. 300 As with any business start-up, you can legitimately argue that it will take three years to break even, perhaps more. society > education > learning > study > subject or object of study > [noun] > specific subjects 1880 30 797 For natural science,..business studies, and art, the tuition is extra, as is usual in such cases. 1962 H. O. Beecheno p. vii With the introduction of..the Higher National Diploma in Business Studies many students will be studying the subject of the Structure of the Business World. 2002 8 May 18/2 The rise to prominence of Fortuyn, a former writer and professor of sociology and business studies. 1871 Dec. 721/1 Slowly out of our work-day, business-suited, modern world the vessel steamed up to this city of an olden time and another ideal. 1919 S. Lewis iv. 40 A man, one of the average-sized, average-mustached, average business-suited, average-brown-haired men who can never be remembered. 2001 25 Nov. 62/1 Twice, as the two business-suited generals huddled over their meal, cellphones trilled..with news that India was firing artillery in the disputed border province of Kashmir. 1963 54 202/2 The existing tourism in Aruba and Curaçao can be better named as business-tourism in connection with the oil-industries and the function of Willemstad on Curaçao as center of business and airtraffic. 1994 Oct. 345/2 In Shetland..tourism comprised three fairly distinct elements: business tourism, pleasure or vacation tourism, and that relating to visiting friends and relatives. 2010 V. Crossa et al. in S. Mustard & A. Murie v. 80 The core of Birmingham's approach was to create the conditions for new economic functions, particularly in business tourism. 1863 3 Oct. 4/4 The southern division were well represented by a few business tourists who endeavour to amalgamate profit with pleasure, by mixing their ‘toddy’ and their speculations with a change of scenery. 1916 14 Sept. 26/3 (caption) There are hundreds of miles of similar forest roads in Maine over which the business tourist is compelled to forget the remotest symptom of business. 2010 W. S. Shaw in L. Jolliffe ix. 142 There are also business tourists who engage in tourism during business activities (and ‘down’ times). 1845 11 Oct. 8/2 We must have a formal business-union, with regular marriage-settlements. 1905 July 477/2 Associations like the church, the club and the business union, lay down rules to which each member must conform. 1998 B. Roberts ii. 56 The business union with his merchant brothers-in-law was profitable especially during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. 2010 S. Johnstone v. 93 The union was run by a General Manager, and this was said to be symbolic of the kind of association it was: a business union rather than a campaigning union. 1904 Feb. 368/1 Such business unionism as that now practised gives rise to new and exceedingly serious problems. 1961 5 349/1 Struggles engaged in by business unionism, given its limited goals, provide for the contending parties an opportunity for settlement. 2011 F. Barchiesi vi. 240 Members become cynical and disillusioned toward activism and apathetic toward participation in union activities, preferring instead a ‘business unionism’ focused on concrete deliverables. 1908 16 698 This tendency to class feeling latent among the business unionists. 1984 14 Mar. a20/6 Mr. Mitchell said John L. Lewis was a ‘business unionist whose interest was in getting a huge membership that could pay union dues.’ 2008 S. Hamilton vi. 167 The Teamsters were nothing if not hard-nosed business unionists who would accept such a change only if it came with higher wages and other concessions from management. 1868 25 Apr. It was asserted that many looked to individual interest more, and less to the interest of the community as a business unit, than is done in other cities that are nameless. 1923 11 Nov. 27/4 There are thirteen business units vacant and sixteen business units now under construction. 1958 C. F. Carter in D. L. Burn (1961) I. ii. 51 The production of a building is broken down into many processes conducted by different business units. 2007 A. M. Cruz in D. A. McEntire iv. 50/2 Approximately 214,000 residential units and 30,000 business units sustained structural damage in the earthquake. Derivatives 1840 Feb. 279 The dread of a correspondence with a person sure to address me, business-wise, as H. R. M. Twittington, Esq., kept me from intrusting my belongings to a banker. 1936 9 Apr. 18/2 In her work as a member of the board Mrs Davies will be associated businesswise with her divorced husband. 2006 L. E. Banks i. 7 I was thinking in terms of some financial attack, something to screw us business-wise, or to shut down our contacts to entrepreneurial ventures back home. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  n.OE |
