bust1
n.
- a woman's breasts.
- a sculpture of a person's head, shoulders, and chest.
Etymology
C17: from Fr. buste, from Ital. busto, from L. bustum ‘tomb, sepulchral monument’.
bust2
v.
(past and past part. busted or bust)
- break, split, or burst.
▸
(bust up)
(of a group or couple) separate.
- chiefly N. Amer. strike violently.
- chiefly N. Amer. raid or search (premises).
▸arrest.
- chiefly US demote (a soldier).
n.
- a period of economic difficulty or depression.
- a police raid.
- a worthless thing.
- chiefly N. Amer. a violent blow.
adj.
- damaged or broken.
- bankrupt:
firms will go bust.
Etymology
C18 (orig. US): var. of burst.