Bustle
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ʌsəl
Full definition of bustle
Noun
bustle
(plural bustles)- An excited activity; a stir.
- 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 34.we are, perhaps, all the while flattering our natural indolence, which, hating the bustle of the world, and drudgery of business seeks a pretence of reason to give itself a full and uncontrolled indulgence
- (computing) A cover to protect and hide the back panel of a computer or other office machine.
- (historical) A frame worn underneath a woman's skirt, typically only protruding from the rear as opposed to the earlier more circular hoops.
Derived terms
Verb
- To move busily and energetically with fussiness (often followed by about).
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.3.6:I was once so mad to bussell abroad, and seek about for preferment ....
- ''The commuters bustled about inside the train station.
- To teem or abound (usually followed by with); to exhibit an energetic and active abundance (of a thing). See also bustle with.''The train station was bustling with commuters.