Busk

Pronunciation

• IPA: /bÊŒsk/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒsk

From French busc, by dissimilation from buste from Italian busto.

Full definition of busk

Noun

1. A strip of metal, whalebone, wood, or other material, worn in the front of a corset to stiffen it.
• MarstonHer long slit sleeves, stiff busk, puff verdingall,
  Is all that makes her thus angelical.
2. by extension A corset.
• 1661, John Donne, "To his Mistress going to Bed":Off with that happy busk, which I envie,
  That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.

Etymology Unknown

Noun

1. (obsolete) A kind of linen.
• 1882, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, Volume 4, p. 557:Busk, a kind of table linen, occurs first in 1458, and occasionally afterwards.

From Middle English busken, from Old Norse búask

Verb

1. To prepare; to make ready; to array; to dress.Busk you, busk you, my bonny, bonny bride. — Hamilton.The watch stert up and drew their weapons brightAnd busk'd them bold to battle and to fight. — Fairfax.
2. To go; to direct one's course. Obs.Ye might have busked you to Huntly banks. — Skelton.

Apparently from French busquer or Spanish buscar.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To solicit money by entertaining the public in the street or in public transport
2. (nautical) To tack, to cruise about.

Related terms

• busker