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-West Germanic *bisīg (“diligent, zealous, busy”).

Pronunciation

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

Adjective

bisy (plural and weak singular bisye, comparative bisiere, superlative bisiest)

1. (of a person) Engaged in activity; preoccupied.
2. Having a strong work ethic; diligent, industrious, hard-working.
3. Disposed to anxiety or concern, particularly about practical matters; solicitous, worried.
4. 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.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

5. (of an action or place) Characterised by activity and vigor.

Derived terms

• bisili

Descendants

• English: busy
• Scots: bissy, besy, bussie

References

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