busk

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Busked ] 1. To entertain people for money in a public place, by dancing, singing, playing a musical instrument, or reciting. [ Chiefly Brit. ] [ RH ]

2. To make a noisy or showy appeal. [ RH ]

v. t. & i. [ imp. & p. p. Busked ] [ OE. busken, fr. Icel. būask to make one's self ready, rexlexive of būa to prepare, dwell. Cf. 8th Bound. ] 1. To prepare; to make ready; to array; to dress. [ Scot. & Old Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Busk you, busk you, my bonny, bonny bride. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To go; to direct one's course. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Ye might have busked you to Huntly banks. Skelton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. busc, perh. fr. the hypothetical older form of E. bois wood, because the first busks were made of wood. See Bush, and cf. OF. busche, F. bûche, a piece or log of wood, fr. the same root. ] A thin, elastic strip of metal, whalebone, wood, or other material, worn in the front of a corset. [ 1913 Webster ]

Her long slit sleeves, stiff busk, puff verdingall,
Is all that makes her thus angelical. Marston. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Wearing a busk. Pollok. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a person who entertains people for money in public places (as by singing or dancing). [ Chiefly British ] [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ See Bosket, Bouquet. ] 1. A small bush; also, a sprig or bouquet. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A part of a garden devoted to shrubs. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Prob. from OF. brossequin, or D. broosken. See Brodekin. ] 1. A strong, protecting covering for the foot, coming some distance up the leg. [ 1913 Webster ]

The hunted red deer's undressed hide
Their hairy buskins well supplied. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A similar covering for the foot and leg, made with very thick soles, to give an appearance of elevation to the stature; -- worn by tragic actors in ancient Greece and Rome. Used as a symbol of tragedy, or the tragic drama, as distinguished from comedy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Great Fletcher never treads in buskins here,
No greater Jonson dares in socks appear. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Wearing buskins. [ 1913 Webster ]

Her buskined virgins traced the dewy lawn. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Trodden by buskins; pertaining to tragedy. “The buskined stage.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]