Library / English Dictionary

BUSTLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A rapid active commotion

Synonyms:

ado; bustle; flurry; fuss; hustle; stir

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("bustle" is a kind of...):

commotion; din; ruckus; ruction; rumpus; tumult (the act of making a noisy disturbance)

Derivation:

bustle (move or cause to move energetically or busily)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A framework worn at the back below the waist for giving fullness to a woman's skirt

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("bustle" is a kind of...):

frame; framework (a structure supporting or containing something)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Move or cause to move energetically or busily

Example:

The cheerleaders bustled about excitingly before their performance

Synonyms:

bustle; bustle about; hustle

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "bustle" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

"Bustle" entails doing...:

belt along; bucket along; cannonball along; hasten; hie; hotfoot; pelt along; race; rush; rush along; speed; step on it (move hurridly)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence examples:

The crowds bustle in the streets

The streets bustle with crowds

Derivation:

bustle (a rapid active commotion)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The two who were left guarding their boats seemed in a bustle at our appearance; “Lillibullero” stopped off, and I could see the pair discussing what they ought to do.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles of Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

As for myself, I am glad to have got the bustling days of preparation and the pangs of leave-taking behind me, and I have no doubt that I show it in my bearing.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There was employment, hope, solicitude, bustle, for every hour of the day.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

They were interrupted by the bustle of Mr. Weston calling on every body to begin dancing again.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The bustle of going was not pleasant.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The bustle in the vestibule, as she passed along an inner lobby, assured her that they were already in the house.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

His senses, accustomed to the hum and bustle of the camp, used to the continuous impact of sights and sounds, were now left idle.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

The center of our Milky Way galaxy is bustling with young and old stars, smaller black holes and other varieties of stellar corpses — all swarming around a supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A*.

(NASA's NuSTAR Captures Possible 'Screams' from Zombie Stars, NASA)

There was a bustle outside, and Mrs. Hudson opened the door to usher in two robust and official-looking individuals, one of whom was well known to us as Inspector Gregson of Scotland Yard, an energetic, gallant, and, within his limitations, a capable officer.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)