̈ɪˈbɪznɪs n. 1 one's
regular occupation,
profession, or
trade. 2 a
thing that is one's
concern. 3 a a
task or
duty. b a
reason for coming (what is
your business?). 4
serious work or
activity (get down to business). 5 derog. a an
affair, a
matter (sick of
the whole business). b a
structure (a lath-and-plaster business). 6 a thing or
series of things needing to be
dealt with (the business of the day). 7 buying
and selling; trade (good
stroke of business). 8 a
commercial house or firm. 9 Theatr.
action on
stage. 10 a
difficult matter (what a business it is!;
made a
great business of it). øbusiness card a card printed with one's
name and
professional details. the business
end colloq. the
functional part of a
tool or
device. business
park an
area designed to
accommodate businesses and
light industry. business
person a
businessman or businesswoman. business studies
training in
economics,
management, etc.
has no business to has no
right to. in business 1
trading or dealing. 2
able to
begin operations. in the business of 1
engaged in. 2 intending to (we are
not in the business of surrendering). like nobody's business colloq. extraordinarily.
make it one's business to
undertake to.
mind one's
own business not
meddle. on business with a
definite purpose,
esp.
one relating to one's regular occupation.
send a person
about his or
her business
dismiss a person; send a person
away. [OE bisignis (as
BUSY, -NESS)]
