1. n.1 a the human chest, esp. that of a woman; the bosom. b the circumference of the body at bust level (a 36-inch bust).
2 a sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and chest.
Etymology: F buste f. It. busto, of unkn. orig. 2. v., n., & adj.
--v. (past and past part. busted or bust) colloq.
1. tr. & intr. burst, break.
2 tr. esp. US reduce (a soldier etc.) to a lower rank; dismiss.
3 tr. esp. US a raid, search. b arrest.
--n.
1. a sudden failure; a bankruptcy.
2 a police raid.
3 a drinking-bout.
4 esp. US a punch; a hit.
5 a worthless thing.
6 a bad hand at cards.
--adj. (also busted)
1. broken, burst, collapsed.
2 bankrupt.
Phrases and idioms:
bust up 1 bring or come to collapse; explode.
2 (of esp. a married couple) separate.
bust-up n.
1. a quarrel.
2 a collapse; an explosion. go bust become bankrupt; fail.
Etymology: orig. a (dial.) pronunc. of BURST