† buskn.1
Obsolete (historical in later use).
A type of linen cloth. Cf. Holland n.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric made from specific material > made from flax, hemp, or jute > [noun] > linen > types of > other
lewyn1360
crest-clothc1430
homplec1450
busk1458
kreyscloth1507
middlegood1567
botano1604
Britannias1699
green cloth1700
tandem1747
Russia sheeting1749
damassé1864
1458 in J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Agric. & Prices (1882) (modernized text) III. 478/2 Busk for table linen 24½ ells @ /4.
1480 Wardrobe Accts. Edward IV in N. H. Nicolas Privy Purse Expenses Elizabeth of York (1830) 124 For wasshing of divers old peces of busk and of a paillett vj d.
1545 Rates Custome House sig. a.iiv Buske clothe narowe buske whyted and all maner cloth in Hollande ploye. xii. s.
1799 J. Strutt Compl. View Dress & Habits People of Eng. II. v. vii. 351 The lining was generally Holland cloth, or a sort of linen called busk.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
† buskn.2
Scottish. Obsolete.
1. A woman's headdress. Also more fully head busk. Cf. busking n.1 1b, bussing n.2 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > [noun]
busk1516
barbery1540
dressing1557
buskinga1568
barbering1660
hairdressing1771
haircare1935
hair-styling1936
1516 in R. K. Hannay Acts Lords of Council Public Affairs (1932) 71 Ane busc of dammas with x pirnis of goldwyr.
1608 in J. S. Dobie Munim. Irvine (1891) II. 47 That the habit of wimens buskis be conforme to Ingland.
1676 W. Cunningham Diary 21 Dec. (1887) 85 For 4 head busks of ribbons to my 4 youngest sisters.
2. Adornment, embellishment. Cf. buskry n. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > [noun] > ornamentation or decoration > an ornament
ornamenta1382
paramentc1395
adornmentc1405
flower1542
furniture1548
furniments1553
bravery1577
grace1579
trim1579
honour1589
outsetc1590
parergy1592
trapping1596
adornation1597
parergon1601
accomplishment1605
bellishment1611
facing1622
decorement1632
embellishment1632
gallantry1633
ornamentals1650
disguisements1655
decorationa1678
buska1687
decorament1727
pretty1736
tahalli1833
chicken fixings1840
ornamentality1842
grace note1922
a1687 R. McWard Επαγωνισμοι (1723) 356 Cloathed and adorned with the Busk and Bravery of beautiful and big Words.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
buskn.3
/bʌsk/, U.S. /bəsk/ A strip of wood, whalebone, steel, or other rigid material attached vertically to the front section of a corset so as to stiffen and support it. Hence occasionally: the corset itself.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > underwear > [noun] > corset
busk1581
a pair of stays1608
bodicea1625
stay1731
corset1795
belt1818
foundation garment1927
foundation1939
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > underwear > [noun] > corset > parts of
busk point1598
busk1688
staylace1720
stay-bobbin1775
1581 Warrant 6 Apr. (Egerton MS. 2806) in J. Arnold Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlock'd (1988) 231 Eight Buskes.
1584 B. Rich Don Simonides II. sig. I.iiv Strong buskes to straighten crooked bodies.
1592 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) vii. xxxvi. 157 Her face was Maskt..her bodie pent with buske.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Buc A buske, plated bodie, or other quilted thing, worne to make, or keepe, the bodie straight; See Busq, or Buste.
1615 E. Howes Stow's Annales (new ed.) 948/1 Womens Maskes, Buskes.., and Bodkins, were first deuised, and used in Italy by Curtezans, and from thence brought into France.., & from thence they came into England about the time of the Massaccar in Parris [sc. 24 Aug. 1572].
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 94/2 A Busk..is a strong peece of Wood, or Whalebone thrust down the middle of the Stomacker.
1755 C. Clarke Narr. Life 104 The want of which latter Instrument of Death [sc. a dagger], I once saw supplied with a Lady's Busk; who had just Presence of Mind sufficient to draw it from her Stays.
1788 Ann. Reg. 1786 Misc. Ess. 125/2 Whalebone and busks, which martyr European girls, they know not.
1824 W. Carr Horæ Momenta Cravenæ 15 I lost my hollin busk, finely flower'd.
1862 H. Mayhew & J. Binny Criminal Prisons of London 40 Bundles of wooden busks, and little bits of whalebone.
1915 Amer. Cookery Nov. 306/2 Many an impulsive mother was known to quickly draw her busk from the low bodice and use it for spanking her young 'incorrigible'.
1998 K. Lloyd Darker than Love ii. 32 The busk of her corset dug viciously into her belly.
Compounds
busk point n. now historical the lace and tag used to secure a busk to a corset.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > underwear > [noun] > corset > parts of
busk point1598
busk1688
staylace1720
stay-bobbin1775
1598 J. Marston Metamorph. Pigmalions Image 10 Loue is a child, contented with a toy, A busk-point..still's the boy.
1613 G. Wither Abuses Stript i. sig. D4 He..doth craue her, To grant him but a busk-point for a fauour.
1822 R. Nares Gloss. at Busk-point The lace, with its tag, which secured the end of a the busk.
1957 L. E. Pearson Elizabethans at Home viii. 586 These busks were inserted in casings and tied by laces or busk points.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
buskn.4
/bʌsk/, U.S. /bəsk/ The Green Corn Ceremony of the Creek people, held before the new maize crop is first eaten. Cf. green corn ceremony at green corn n. Compounds.
ΚΠ
1736 S.-Carolina Gaz. 19 June 1/1 They would, if Mr. Oglethorpe desir'd it, when the Nation met at the next Busk, make Proposals to them concerning a Peace with the Spaniards.
1854 H. D. Thoreau Walden 74 Would it not be well if we were to celebrate such a ‘busk’, or ‘feast of first fruits’, as Bartram describes to have been the custom of the Mucclasse Indians?
1891 E. M. Hale Ilex Cassine 11 The New Year began with the ‘busk’, which was celebrated in July or August.
1932 Southwestern Hist. Q. 36 91 This ceremony of sanctifying the first fruits was called the busk, from poskita or boskita, meaning a fast. The principal busk of the Texas Alabamas seems to have been their green corn dance usually held in June.
2002 B. Tiger & H. A. Kersey Buffalo Tiger 129 When changing conditions make a new medicine necessary, the supreme being causes it to appear in the medicine bundle during the last night of the busk.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
buskv.1
/bʌsk/, U.S. /bəsk/, Scottish English /bʌsk/, Irish English /bʌsk/ Now rare (Scottish, Irish English, and English regional (northern) in later use).
I. To prepare, and related senses.
1.
a. transitive. To prepare, to make or get ready; to put in order, array. Also occasionally with up. Sometimes in collocation with boun v.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)]
yarec888
yarkc1000
graithc1175
readya1225
biredienc1275
to make yarec1290
forgraitha1300
adightc1330
buskc1330
purveyc1330
agraith1340
disposec1375
before-graithea1382
to forge and filec1381
to make readya1382
devisec1385
bounc1390
buss?a1400
address?a1425
parel?a1425
to get upc1425
providec1425
prepare1449
bakec1450
aready1470
arm?a1505
prevenea1522
get?1530
to get ready1530
to get ready1530
to set in readiness1575
apply1577
compose1612
predy1627
make1637
to dispose of1655
do1660
fallowa1764
to line up1934
prep1936
tee1938
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 1642 He busked him al so swiþe Boþe squier and kniȝt.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3196 (MED) Þe [read þere] were beddes busked for eny burn riche.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11710 Apon þe morn..þai ware busked to þair wai.
c1450 (a1400) Libeaus Desconus (Calig. A.ii) (1969) l. 822 Buske her and make her boun.
a1500 (?c1400) Earl of Toulous l. 232 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale Middle Eng. Metrical Romances (1930) I. 390 [We] were buskyd yare, On owre iurney for to fare.
c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1850) I. 137 The covenanteris..buskit the yaird dykis weray commodiouslie.
1720 A. Ramsay Edinb.'s Salut. to Ld. Carnarvon 3 Than I, [noone].., I trew's mair able To busk you up a better bed, Or trim a tighter table.
1839 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 45 179 Heaven help us..if the good lady's specs are not ‘busked’ and ready in the case!
1852 Anglo-Amer. Mag. Dec. 544/2 Come busk up our fire, my ain bonnie woman.
1926 E. R. Eddison Worm Ouroboros xvii. 239 On the fifteenth day of July was the fleet busked and boun in Tenemos Roads.
b. intransitive. To prepare oneself; to make preparations, to get ready.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare or get ready [verb (intransitive)]
buskc1330
agraith1340
to make readya1382
arraya1387
providec1425
prepare1517
addressa1522
apparel1523
bouna1525
buckle1563
to make frecka1572
fettle?c1600
fix1716
to set into ——1825
to show foot1825
ready1878
to fang a pump, (loosely) a well1883
prep1900
to get (oneself) organized1926
to sharpen one's pencil1957
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 923 Now boskes tristre þe fre, To inglond for to founde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11585 Rise vp, iosep, and busk [Gött. busk þe] and ga.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) viii. 409 The king buskit and maid him ȝar.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2568 I bid þat ye buske, and no bode make.
1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 98 On a day the Burges buskit to ride. In far countreis to do his Merchandice, As it effeiris sic men, and is the gise.
1796 W. Scott tr. G. A. Bürger William & Helen in Chase 22 This night we must away;..Busk, busk, and boune!
a1842 A. Cunningham Sailor's Lady in Poems & Songs (1847) iii. 105 Maiden, busk and come, And be a sailor's lady.
1887 R. F. Burton tr. Arabian Nights' Entertainm.: Suppl. Nights III. 612 One day he busked for a journey, with the full intention of never again setting foot in his country.
1901 R. Kipling Kim iv. 93 Greet her—she's hailing a stranger! Meet her—she's busking to leave!
c. transitive (reflexive). To prepare or equip oneself; to make oneself ready.Often with implied reference to clothes, passing into sense 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (reflexive)]
buska1350
arraya1400
richc1400
to make ready?a1425
enhabitc1485
revestera1500
dress1533
suit1576
rig1662
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (reflexive)]
yarec888
yarkc1000
graithc1230
dightc1275
to make yarec1290
arrayc1320
tirec1330
agraith1340
buska1350
readya1350
dressc1350
shapec1374
disposec1375
ordainc1380
rayc1380
makec1390
bouna1400
updressa1400
fettlec1400
address1447
ettlec1450
aready1470
to make oneself forth1488
busklea1555
poise1639
arrange1865
a1350 in R. H. Robbins Hist. Poems 14th & 15th Cent. (1959) 28 Hue boskeþ huem wyþ botouns, ase hit were a brude.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 11 (MED) A pigmey boskeþ hym [L. se præparat, v.r. præparat] to bataille.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10556 Anna busked hir and yede.
a1450 St. Edith (Faust.) (1883) l. 4238 (MED) On pilgremage ychon of hem boskede hem to go.
a1500 (?c1450) Bone Florence (1976) l. 276 My lorde wyll buske hym to ryde.
1566 Actis & Constit. Scotl. f. iiiiv (heading) That ilk man busk thame to be archaris.
1781 Adam o Gordon in J. Pinkerton Sc. Tragic Ballads 45 She had nae suner busked hersel, And putten on her gown, Than Adam o Gordon and his men Were round about the toun.
1863 S. Baring-Gould Iceland 125 Grettir busked himself for a cold ride.
1902 C. Scott Per Contra 60 Call 'em up, the lads below, Wake 'em up with a Busk 'e, O! Busk—'e, here—O!
1973 G. M. Brown Magnus iv. 67 The king of Norway was in the Orcades, busking him for a war-cruise as far as Wales and Ireland.
2.
a. transitive. To clothe, dress, or attire (a person); to dress or adorn (a thing).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)]
wrya901
clothec950
shride971
aturnc1220
begoa1225
array1297
graith1297
agraithc1300
geara1325
cleadc1325
adightc1330
apparel1362
back1362
shape1362
attirea1375
parela1375
tirea1375
rayc1390
addressa1393
coverc1394
aguisea1400
scredea1400
shrouda1400
bedightc1400
buskc1400
harnessc1400
hatterc1400
revesta1449
able1449
dressa1450
reparel?c1450
adub?1473
endue?a1475
afaite1484
revestera1500
beclothe1509
trimc1516
riga1535
invest1540
vesture1555
suit1577
clad1579
investure1582
vest1582
deck1587
habit1594
to make ready1596
caparison1597
skin1601
shadow1608
garment1614
riga1625
raiment1656
garb1673
equip1695
to fit out1722
encase1725
tog1793
trick1821
to fig out1825
enclothe1832
toilet1842
to get up1858
habilitate1885
tailor1885
kit1919
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 142 Þou, burne, for no brydale art busked in wedez!
c1450 (?a1400) Parl. Thre Ages (BL Add. 31042) l. 22 (MED) Bothe my body and my bowe I buskede with leues.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 390 King Bredus buskit in armour brycht.
1597 J. Melvill Autobiogr. & Diary (1842) II. 437 Busk him as bonilie as ye can.
1613 Bp. W. Cowper Holy Alphabet 323 Those who in a Stage-play represent another thing then they are: there the beggar is busked like a King.
c1650 J. Spalding Memorialls Trubles Scotl. & Eng. (1850) I. 19 The ladie Frendracht..buskit in ane white plaid..cam weiping and morning to the Bog.
1720 A. Pennecuik Streams from Helicon (ed. 2) i. 65 The merry Beggars were busking a Bride.
1787 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 334 But now they'll busk her like a fright.
1821 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Oct. 304/1 Birch and laurel were in particular demand to busk the wall.
1837 T. Campbell in Lit. Gaz. 23 Dec. 812 Hedges, busk'd in bravery, Look'd rich that sunny morn.
1864 W. D. Latto Tammas Bodkin xxv. 257 My legs..they're like pirn-sticks buskit in breeks.
1913 E. H. Hickey Later Poems 2 Your maids must busk you royal fair, With a golden circlet round your hair.
a1940 ‘H. MacDiarmid’ Praise of Ben Dorain in Compl. Poems (1993) I. 597 The moorland busked in a great Rough-figured mantle that suits her estate.
b. intransitive. To clothe or dress oneself. Also with up: to dress smartly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (intransitive)]
clothe1393
trick?1532
riga1535
dress1673
busk1722
1722 A. Ramsay Twa Cut-purses in Fables & Tales 35 In Borrows-town there was a Fair,..Baith Lads and Lasses busked brawly, To glowr at ilka Bonny-waly.
?1795 H. Macneill Scotland's Scaith 21 Jean..loo'd to busk aye In her hame-spun, thrifty wark.
1854 M. Oliphant Magdalen Hepburn I. 232 We dinna lie soft, and busk fair like them that dwell in halls and towers, and wait upon nobles.
1875 J. H. Nodal & G. Milner Gloss. Lancs. Dial.: Pt. I 62 Come busk up, an' let's be off.
3. transitive. figurative. To adorn, to embellish. Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautify [verb (transitive)]
fairOE
highta1200
embellishc1385
beautifyc1425
decore1490
beauty1495
embeauty1523
decorate1530
fashion1557
busk1573
gracify?1578
embrave1579
handsome1592
pulchrify1797
orchidize1872
lovelify1935
bellify-
bellish-
1573 in T. G. Law Catholic Tractates (1901) 10 Thair fals and erronius doctrine..being craftelie buskit with polite..termis.
1625 D. Primrose Scotlands Complaint Ep. Ded. sig. A2v Princes, whose radiant and splendide vices were busked vp with the false ornaments of vertue.
1656 J. Trapp Comm. Rev. xvii. 3 His head only before was busked with the blasphemy..now his whole body.
a1741 E. Cairns Mem. (1762) 52 [The tempter] set violently on me to drown myself, busking his temptation with this, Thou needest not fear, thou wilt immediately go to heaven.
1827 R. Pollok Course of Time II. vi. 17 The frothy orator, who busked his tales In quackish pomp of noisy words.
1882 Brit. & Foreign Evangelical Rev. Apr. 285 It is possible for the romancer..to busk up a fabric far more showy,..than what is commonly found in the hard and monotonous course of reality.
4. transitive. Angling. To dress (a hook) with a fly; to prepare or attach (a fly).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (transitive)] > bait a hook
baita1400
busk1685
rebait1686
1685 W. Clark Grand Tryal xx. 159 As one angles Fishes, by a Hook, So neatly busk'd, and covered with a Fly.
1698 in A. W. C. Hallen Acct. Bk. Sir J. Foulis (1894) 229 For fish hewcks..He busked them.
1814 W. Scott Waverley I. ix. 123 He has done nothing..unless trimming the laird's fishing-wand or busking his flies. View more context for this quotation
1819 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 5 124 His daughter..we have sometimes seen ‘busking hooks’.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward II. ii. 36 I..use not to gulp the angler's hook because it is busked up with a feather called honour.
1850 Eclectic Rev. July 391/1 I never speak when I am busking Flies.
1920 J. Buchan in Northern Numbers 15 A better lad Ye wadna find to busk a flee.
1970 J. Smith Let. in E. J. Marsh Inshore Craft Great Brit. I. ii. 44 The hooks..were dressed or 'busked' with pig bristles or feathers.
II. To set out, and related senses.† 6. intransitive. With up. To get up, rise. Obsolete.† 7. intransitive. To try, to make an attempt. Obsolete.
5.
a. intransitive. To set out, go (esp. with speed); to hurry, hasten, make haste.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with urgent speed
rempeOE
fuseOE
rakeOE
hiec1175
i-fusec1275
rekec1275
hastec1300
pellc1300
platc1300
startc1300
buskc1330
rapc1330
rapec1330
skip1338
firk1340
chase1377
raikc1390
to hie one's waya1400
catchc1400
start?a1505
spur1513
hasten1534
to make speed1548
post1553
hurry1602
scud1602
curry1608
to put on?1611
properate1623
post-haste1628
whirryc1630
dust1650
kite1854
to get a move on1888
to hump it1888
belt1890
to get (or put) one's skates on1895
hotfoot1896
to rattle one's dags1968
shimmy1969
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 2942 Boþe busked þat niȝt To beliagog in lede.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 173 Til hit [sc. a child] big was & bold to buschen on felde.
c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 202 Þe kyng..to his bed buskes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4309 (MED) Quen þou seis him busk to þe, þou do þe stallworthli to flei.
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure l. 962 (MED) Whedyre buskes þou, berne?
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 404 Ane of the vachis..buskit [1489 Adv. buskyt] thiddirward but baid.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aviv He maid his offering Syne buskit hame the samyne way.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iv. 71 Flee my sun, and busk on.
1781 F. Stephen Rural Amusement 77 Busk, O busk, my bonny bonny bride, At the back of Ma'com's barn.
1876 C. C. Robinson Gloss. Words Dial. Mid-Yorks. (at cited word) Now, come busk!
b. transitive (reflexive). in the same sense.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (reflexive)] > speedily
hiec1290
rapea1325
buska1375
speeda1375
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2477 Þei busked hem homward.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 633 (MED) Þe burne to be bare-heved buskez hym þenne.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 1306 To þe bothum of þe baistell he buskis [a1500 Trin. Dublin buskez] him with-out.
1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Seuen First Bks. Eneidos iv. sig. K.j (margin) Mercury busketh him forward.
1683 W. Winstanley Hist. Rarities 77 He presently thereupon would tract no time, but busked himself over Sea, and arrived in Ireland.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (at cited word) Noo busk thee sen off, an' doant stan gawmin' there for a week.
1890 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 148 107 Betimes on the Lord's Day they busked them from home.
c. transitive. To drive, impel; to cause to hasten; to hurry; to bustle. In later use with about.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > do, deal with, acquire, etc., quickly [verb (transitive)] > cause to be done rapidly > hasten or hurry > a person
buskc1390
enhaste1430
post1570
bustle1575
expede1600
post-haste1607
pearten1827
crowd1838
scuffle1838
rush1889
c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) 13 Þer þei bosked hem out þat hudden hem in huirenes, Made hem to huppe half an hundret foote.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 351 (MED) Bestez, as I bedene have, bosk þerinne als.
a1500 ( Poems from Pilgrimage of Soul (Egerton) in F. J. Furnivall Wks. T. Hoccleve: Regement Princes (1897) p. xxv (MED) Deth..sparith no persone..But buskith you vnto the pittes brynk.
1871 Huddersfield Chron. & W. Yorks. Advertiser 20 May 3/5 Prepared, though not willing, to be busked about.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (at cited word) I liv'd sarvant wi' her for a bit, but she buskt me aboot while I couldn't bide it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of standing up or rising > rise or be standing [verb (intransitive)] > rise
arisec1000
astandOE
standOE
to stand upOE
risec1175
risec1175
runge?c1225
uprisea1300
upstanda1300
buskc1390
to fare upa1400
to get upa1400
to win upona1400
dress1490
upget1582
up1635
raise1884
c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 143 (MED) Þe morwe he boskeþ vp to rise.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1128 Þay busken vp bilyue, blonkkeȝ to sadel.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)]
fanda1225
procurea1325
assay1370
workc1384
to put oneself in pressc1390
purchasec1400
buskc1450
study1483
fend15..
try1534
enterprise1547
to make an attempt?c1550
to give the venture1589
prove1612
nixuriate1623
to lay out1659
essay1715
to bring (also carry, drive, etc.) one's pigs to market1771
to have (or take or give) a crack1836
to make an out1843
to go to market1870
to give it a burl1917
to have a bash (at)1950
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 135 Whan þer buskede a burn a bow for to touche.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
buskv.2
/bʌsk/, U.S. /bəsk/ intransitive. Of a bird: to raise or flap the wings and ruffle or raise the feathers, as when bating (bating n.1) or dust-bathing (obsolete); (now only) to arch the wings in aggressive display. Also transitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > actions or bird defined by > [verb (intransitive)] > ruffle or raise feathers
rouse1486
busk1567
brustle1648
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > flap or flutter wings
wag1496
flush1558
flap1567
buska1774
1567 G. Turberville Epitaphes, Epigrams f. 98v Birds will alway buske and bate and scape the fowlers trap.
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 4 And this sorte of Hawkes, do neuer vse to plume or tyre vppon the foul whom they haue seazed [with their foote], vntill such time as they perceiue it to leaue busking and bating in the foote.
1590 W. Vallans Tale Two Swannes 6 A milkewhite Swanne..That busked vp his winges in greatest pride.
a1774 R. Fergusson Poems (1785) 166 Now ye may clap your wings an' craw; An gayly busk ilk feather.
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Busk, particularly applied to domestic fowls exposing themselves to the sun on a hot day, lying in the most dusty place they can find, and scratching up the dust among their feathers, to rid themselves, as it is said, of the vermin with which they are infested.
1867 Once Week 308/1 It is true that in the month of September, when the sun is hot, and they lie basking and busking among the turnips.
1920 T. A. Coward Birds Brit. Isles 2nd Ser. 12 The bird pairs for life, and the cob shares in incubation, but usually guards the nest, ‘busking’, as it is called, when approached.
1970 Oceanogr. & Marine Biol. 8 541 Sky-pointing is not obviously derived from aggressive behaviour, but from an exaggerated intention of movement (i.e. lengthening of neck and busking of wings, both of which prepare the bird for the mechanical act of take-off).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
† buskv.3
Angling. Obsolete. rare.
intransitive. To fish using a fly as bait. Cf. busk v.1 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fish [verb (intransitive)] > for trout
busk1620
1620 W. Lawson in J. Dennys Secrets of Angling (new ed.) sig. C5v This Flye..among wood, or close by a bushe, moued in the crust of the water, is dead-lye in an evening... This is called busking for Trouts.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
buskv.4
/bʌsk/, U.S. /bəsk/ 1. intransitive. To go searching or seeking for something; to go from place to place. Chiefly with adverb or prepositional phrase. Now rare (colloquial in later use).
ΚΠ
1635 J. Reynolds Triumphs Gods Revenge (new ed.) vi. xxx. 460 Those Swimmers had..curiously busked and dived in most places thereof to find out this cloath.
1677 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer iii. 38 Go, busk about, and run thy self into the next great Man's Lobby.
1687 Cynthia 131 The Dog..parted from it, going his way to his old Trade of busking to and fro in the Garden.
1790 M. Willett Diary 5–6 May in W. M. Willett Narr. Mil. Actions Col. Marinus Willett (1831) ix. 103 The people in the next town are busking for mulberries.
1826 H. Roscoe North's Lives (new ed.) III. 54 Running up and down and through the city..perpetually busking after one thing or other.
1898 C. Mortimer Capt. Antle iv. 31 My advice to you is to go to Bristol and busk round like a little man, and someone will give 'ee employ.
1909 W. N. Famous Col. Crook Stories 31 This plug..took to busking about the town and on the quiet..kept telling all the folk that I was not an oculist.
a. intransitive. Of a ship: to cruise; to sail to and fro. Also: spec. to strive against contrary winds or currents at sea; to beat to windward; to tack. Frequently with adverb, as about, to, etc. Obsolete. N.E.D. (1888) includes the sense ‘to cruise as a pirate’, but this is attested only in later glossarial evidence (see quot. 1867 at busking n.2 1).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > sail up and down
busk1635
to box about1795
humbug1840
buzznack1864
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > avail oneself of a wind [verb (intransitive)] > tack or make tacks
to make boards1533
tack1557
traverse1568
ply1589
board1627
tackle1632
busk1635
trip1687
to beat abouta1774
to come about1777
to make short boards1777
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > sustain a storm or danger
live1589
ridea1649
to make good, bad, etc. weather of it1669
busk1713
to busk it out1744
1635 W. Methwold et al. Let. 19 Jan. in W. Foster Eng. Factories in India. 1634–6 (1911) 97 Takeing the opertunity of two yeares securety to devide our shipping and buske out for imployment.
1665 Oxf. Gaz. No. 9/2 A Ship from Longsound, who hath been buskin too and again this Fortnight.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia i. i. 4 The succeeding Morning..we beheld our Frigots that had left us, busking after us with all the winged speed they could.
1713 C. Johnson Successful Pyrate i. 1 The Ship was found busking on the Seas, without a Mast or Rudder.
1758 Whitehall Evening-post 15–18 July We were busking in the Bay of Bisca ten Days.
1839 R. M. Bird Adventures Robin Day I. ii. 23 Three or four others were busking about in a batteau.
1860 Atlantic Monthly Aug. 149/2 Talbot's shallop..was busking and turning before Oldfield's landing for several hours.
b. transitive. to busk it out: to weather a storm by tacking about. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > sustain a storm or danger
live1589
ridea1649
to make good, bad, etc. weather of it1669
busk1713
to busk it out1744
1744 R. North & M. North Life Sir D. North & Rev. J. North 15 Sometimes a-try, and sometimes a-hull, we busked it out.
c. transitive. To cruise or sail about on (the sea). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (transitive)] > sail or cleave the water or sea
rideOE
furrowc1425
sheugh1513
sulcate1577
sulk1579
busk1747
navigate1795
valleya1849
1747 J. Lind Lett. Navy (1757) i. 29 Three deck'd ships are too large and unweildy to busk the seas, as they call it.
3.
a. intransitive. Originally slang. To perform music or some other entertainment in a public place (now esp. in the street) for monetary donations. Also transitive: to make (one's way) performing in this manner. Cf. earlier busking n.2 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > street performance > perform in street [verb (intransitive)]
busk1934
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > play in street
busk1934
1776 J. Hawkins Gen. Hist. Music V. i. vii. 66 The musicians of his time..call it going a-busking.]
1825 P. Egan Life of Actor v. 212 I agreed with my clown, Tom Jefferies, who could sing a good low comedy song, Mr. Brown, a musician, and myself, to busk our way up to London.
1878 Birmingham Daily Post 19 June 7/4 The latter stated that prisoner had discarded his trade, and had been ‘busking’ about the country. That meant reciting Shakespeare's tragedies to ‘select audiences’ in public houses. (laughter.)
1907 H. Wyndham Flare of Footlights vii. 65 ‘He's busking at Margate now.’ ‘Busking?’ ‘Yes—playing on the sands. He spouts Hamlet and Othello, and sends a hat round for coppers.’
1934 P. Allingham Cheapjack 318 Busk, to perform in the street.
1942 Billboard 6 June 44/1 Some performers, when stranded, busked to raise getaway money.
1993 M. Breasted Why should you doubt me Now? xlii. 171 Young man with a guitar busking for small change.
2005 Trav. Afr. Autumn 27/4 In The Gambia, bands of masked dancers take to the streets to busk for tips.
b. transitive and intransitive. slang. (originally Jazz) and colloquial. To improvise (esp. music); to speak or write without preparation. Also in to busk it.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > improvise or extemporize
extemporize1775
improvise1788
impromptu1802
fantasy1840
fake1895
ad-lib1910
busk1934
jam1935
noodle1937
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform (music) [verb (transitive)] > improvise
improvisoa1768
vamp1789
improvise1858
mess1926
busk1934
rhyme1939
jam1955
1934 S. R. Nelson All about Jazz ii. 51 The drummer can still busk his part, and except for roughly glancing at the score, that is what the best drummers do today.
1968 Gramophone Oct. 578/2 One does not need to be familiar with the correct chord sequence..to realise that Powell is busking his way through.
1991 R. Ferguson Henry Miller ix. 168 His French also improved, and he was able to busk his way through conversations.
1998 Independent 16 June ii. 8/3 I did most of the writing and—busking it—even reviewed things I hadn't seen.
2003 Spin Oct. 113/2 They coolly busk about sex, love, poverty, and paranoia in a raw, Roots-y style.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.11458n.21516
n.31581n.41736
v.1c1330v.21567v.31620v.41635