business

business [biz′nis]

n.

[ME bisinesse < OE bisignes: see BUSY & -NESS]

1. one's work, occupation, or profession

2. a special task, duty, or function

3. rightful concern or responsibility [no one's business but his own]

4. a matter, affair, activity, etc. [the business of packing for a trip]

5. the buying and selling of commodities and services; commerce; trade

6. a commercial or industrial establishment; store, factory, etc.

7. the trade or patronage of customers

8. commercial practice or policy

9. a bit of action in a drama, as pouring a drink, intended to establish character, take up a pause in dialogue, etc.

adj.

1. of or for business

2. Bridge designating a double intended to penalize one's opponents: cf. TAKEOUT (adj. 2)

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do business with

1. to engage in commerce with

2. to have dealings with

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do its business or do one's business

Slang to defecate

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☆ give the business or get the business

Slang to subject (or be subjected) to rough treatment, practical joking, etc.

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mean business

Informal to be in earnest

SYN.- BUSINESS, in this comparison, refers generally to the buying and selling of commodities and services and connotes a profit motive; COMMERCE and TRADE both refer to the distribution or exchange of commodities, esp. as this involves their transportation, but COMMERCE generally implies such activity on a large scale between cities, countries, etc.; INDUSTRY refers chiefly to the large-scale manufacture of commodities