[syn: broke, bust, skint, stone-broke, stony-broke]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
bust \bust\ (b[u^]st), n. [F. buste, fr. It. busto; cf. LL.
busta, bustula, box, of the same origin as E. box a case;
cf., for the change of meaning, E. chest. See Bushel.]
1. A piece of sculpture representing the upper part of the
human figure, including the head, shoulders, and breast.
[1913 Webster]
Ambition sighed: she found it vain to trust
The faithless column, and the crumbling bust.
--Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. The portion of the human figure included between the head
and waist, whether in statuary or in the person; the chest
or thorax; the upper part of the trunk of the body.
[1913 Webster]
3. Especially: A woman's bosom[2].
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
bust \bust\ (b[u^]st), v. t.
To arrest, for committing a crime; -- often used in the
passive; as, the whole gang got busted. [informal]
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
bust \bust\ (b[u^]st), v. i.
1. To break or burst. [informal]
[PJC]
2. (Card Playing) In blackjack, to draw a card that causes
one's total to exceed twenty-one.
[PJC]
3. To go bankrupt.
[PJC]
to go bust to go bankrupt.
or bust or collapse from the effort; -- used in phrases
expressing determination to do something; as, Oregon or
bust, meaning "We will get to Oregon or die trying."
[PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
bust
adj 1: lacking funds; "`skint' is a British slang term" [syn:
broke, bust, skint, stone-broke, stony-broke]
n 1: a complete failure; "the play was a dismal flop" [syn:
flop, bust, fizzle]
2: the chest of a woman [syn: female chest, bust]
3: a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person
4: an occasion for excessive eating or drinking; "they went on a
bust that lasted three days" [syn: bust, tear, binge,
bout]
v 1: ruin completely; "He busted my radio!" [syn: break,
bust] [ant: bushel, doctor, fix, furbish up,
mend, repair, restore, touch on]
2: search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on;
"The police raided the crack house" [syn: raid, bust]
3: separate or cause to separate abruptly; "The rope snapped";
"tear the paper" [syn: tear, rupture, snap, bust]
4: go to pieces; "The lawn mower finally broke"; "The gears wore
out"; "The old chair finally fell apart completely" [syn:
break, wear, wear out, bust, fall apart]
5: break open or apart suddenly and forcefully; "The dam burst"
[syn: burst, bust]