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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Business \Busi"ness\ (b[i^]z"n[e^]s), noun; pl. {Businesses} (b[i^]z"n[e^]s*[e^]z). [From {Busy}.]
1. That which busies one, or that which engages the time, attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern or interest, whether for a longer or shorter time; constant employment; regular occupation; as, the business of life; business before pleasure.
Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? --Luke ii. 49.
2. Any particular occupation or employment engaged in for livelihood or gain, as agriculture, trade, art, or a profession. ''The business of instruction.'' --Prescott.
3. Financial dealings; buying and selling; traffic in general; mercantile transactions.
It seldom happens that men of a studious turn acquire any degree of reputation for their knowledge of business. --Bp. Popteus.
4. That which one has to do or should do; special service, duty, or mission.
The daughter of the King of France, On serious business, craving quick despatch, Importunes personal conference. --Shak.
What business has the tortoise among the clouds? --L'Estrange.
5. Affair; concern; matter; -- used in an indefinite sense, and modified by the connected words.
It was a gentle business, and becoming The action of good women. --Shak.
Bestow Your needful counsel to our business. --Shak.
6. (Drama) The position, distribution, and order of persons and properties on the stage of a theater, as determined by the stage manager in rehearsal.
7. Care; anxiety; diligence. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{To do one's business}, to ruin one. [Colloq.] --Wycherley.
{To make (a thing) one's business}, to occupy one's self with a thing as a special charge or duty. [Colloq.]
{To mean business}, to be earnest. [Colloq.]
Syn: Affairs; concern; transaction; matter; engagement; employment; calling; occupation; trade; profession; vocation; office; duty.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |