Bus"y (bĭz"z?), a. [OE. busi, bisi, AS. bysig; akin to D. bezig, LG. besig; cf. Skr. bhūsh to be active, busy.]

1. Engaged in some business; hard at work (either habitually or only for the time being); occupied with serious affairs; not idle nor at leisure; as, a busy merchant.

Sir, my mistress sends you word That she is busy, and she can not come. Shak.

2. Constantly at work; diligent; active.

Busy hammers closing rivets up. Shak.

Religious motives . . . are so busy in the heart. Addison.

3. Crowded with business or activities; -- said of places and times; as, a busy street.

To-morrow is a busy day. Shak.

4. Officious; meddling; foolish active.

On meddling monkey, or on busy ape. Shak.

5. Careful; anxious. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Syn. -- Diligent; industrious; assiduous; active; occupied; engaged.

Bus"y (bĭz"z?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Busied (bĭz"zĭd); p. pr. & vb. n. Busying.] [AS. bysgian.] To make or keep busy; to employ; to engage or keep engaged; to occupy; as, to busy one\s self with books.

Be it thy course to busy giddy minds With foreign quarrels. Shak.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913