Webster's English Dictionary

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busy

1. busy \'biz-e-\ aj [ME bisy, fr. OE bisig; akin to MD & MLG besich busy] 
   1a: engaged in action : OCCUPIED  1b: being in use {~ telephone}  2: full 
   of activity : BUSTLING  3: OFFICIOUS, MEDDLING  4: full of distracting 
   detail {a ~ design} BUSY chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness 
   or leisure; it may connote purposive activity; INDUSTRIOUS implies 
   characteristic or habitual devotion to work; DILIGENT suggests earnest 
   application to some specific object or pursuit; ASSIDUOUS stresses careful 
   and unremitting application; SEDULOUS implies painstaking and persevering 
   application SYN syn INDUSTRIOUS, DILIGENT, ASSIDUOUS, SEDULOUS: 
2. busy vt : to make busy : OCCUPY, BUSTLE