bisy

Middle English

Alternative forms

bysy, bisie, bysie, bisi, bysi, bysye, bisiȝ, besi, besy, besie, besye, busy, busi, busie

Etymology

From Old English bisig, from Proto-Germanic *bisigaz (“diligent, zealous, busy”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈbiziː/
(SW England) IPA^(key): /ˈbyziː/

Adjective

bisy (inflected form bisye, comparative bisiere, superlative bisiest)

(of a person) Engaged in activity; preoccupied.
Having a strong work ethic; diligent, industrious, hard-working.
Disposed to anxiety or concern, particularly about practical matters; solicitous, worried.
Eager to; intent upon (typically followed by to, for to or þat.
- 1393 John Gower, Confessio Amantis.
  Mi will..is besi nyht and day, To lerne al that he lerne may.
(of an action or place) Characterised by activity and vigor.

Descendants

English: busy
Scots: bissy, besy, bussie

References

“bisi (adj.)” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 20 June 2018.

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