Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bussines, Busines, n. Also: buss(i)enes, -innes; busy-, buse-, bousines. [e.m.E. busines(se, replacing earlier Sc. Besines, Bissines. Cf. Bussie a.] The fact of being busy; occupation; business.(a) 1558-66 Knox II. 304.
The … publict busynes of the realme a1585 Maitl. Q. xxiii. 4.
To help fordwart my busines [Fol. beseynes] 1596 Montgomery Mem. 236.
Be reassoun of our wechtie busenes 1654 Fam. Innes 175.
They wald … forder your lordships bousines(b) 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 298.
The merschaell of Beruik come … to treat sum bussines a1578 Pitsc. I. 15/36.
Labouraris hauntand to thair lesum bussenes 1596 Dalr. II. 323/17.
Tha in this bussines did al diligence 1633 Douglas Corr. 45.
[Licence] to … depart … for doing his leasome effairs and bussines 1641 Acts V. 377/1.
Ordinance anent the Irishe bussines 1659 Melrose R. Rec. I. 214.
All bussienes betuixt Robert Ker … and James Wauch being referrit to Andro Tunno 1670 Red Bk. Grandtully II. 195.
Within two or thrie dayes … , I will either lose or gain the bussienes