[busi.ness] n, often attrib (14c) 1 archaic: purposeful activity: busyness
2. a: role, function "how the human mind went about its ~ of learning --H. A. Overstreet" b: an immediate task or objective: mission "what is your ~ here" c: a particular field of endeavor "the best in the ~" 3 a: a usu. commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as a means of livelihood: trade, line "in the restaurant ~" b: a commercial or sometimes an industrial enterprise; also: such enterprises "the ~ district" c: usu. economic dealings: patronage "took their ~ elsewhere"
4: affair, matter "the whole ~ got out of hand" "~ as usual"
5: creation, concoction
6: movement or action (as lighting a cigarette) by an actor intended esp. to establish atmosphere, reveal character, or explain a situation--called also stage business
7. a: personal concern "none of your ~" b: right "you have no ~ speaking to me that way"
8. a: serious activity requiring time and effort and usu. the avoidance of distractions "got down to ~" "she means ~" b: maximum effort
9. a: a damaging assault b: rebuke, tongue-lashing c: double cross 10: a bowel movement--used esp. of pets syn business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities. business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions. commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities. industry applies to the producing of commodities, esp. by manufacturing or processing, usu. on a large scale. traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons. syn see in addition work