bustle
bustle Lexical Profile
bustle Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Excited, noisy, and energetic activity or movement in a crowded place.
"She enjoyed the constant bustle of the central market during the morning hours."
A padded cushion or wire framework worn beneath the back of a woman's skirt to expand and support the fullness of the fabric, popular in the late nineteenth century, or the gathered fabric at the back of a modern wedding gown.
"The seamstress carefully pinned the lace bustle of the Victorian costume before the rehearsal."
• verb
To move in an energetic, busy, and often noisy manner.
"Waiters bustled between the kitchen and the dining room as the evening rush began."
To be full of noisy, energetic activity or people moving about (of a place).
"The main square bustled with tourists and street performers throughout the summer festival."
To cause someone to move hurriedly in a specified direction.
"The teacher quickly bustled the children into the school bus before the rain started."
• Rhymes for bustle
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating back to the late Middle English 'buskle', the word is likely a frequentative formation of the verb 'busk' (from Old Norse 'búask', meaning to prepare oneself), blended with 'hustle'.