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Meaning of Word: Bust

Definitions and Meaning in English:

• Bust (noun, sculpture): A statue or artwork representing the head, shoulders, and upper chest of a person.
• Bust (noun, body): The measurement around a person’s chest, particularly referring to a woman’s chest area.
• Bust (noun, failure): A complete failure or collapse of a project, event, or business.
• Bust (verb, break): To break, damage, or destroy something.
• Bust (verb, arrest): To capture or arrest someone, typically for breaking the law.
• Bust (adjective, informal): Bankrupt or financially ruined.

History and Origin: The word “bust” originates from the Italian word busto, meaning “upper body,” which in turn comes from the Latin word bustum, originally referring to a funeral pyre or a place for cremation. Over time, “bust” in English came to refer to sculptures of the upper body and expanded to include other meanings related to breaking, collapse, or financial failure.

Detailed Explanation: “Bust” is a versatile word with multiple meanings depending on the context. In art and anatomy, it refers to the upper body or a sculpture depicting this area. In colloquial usage, it describes failure or a financial breakdown (e.g., a business going bust). It can also imply breaking or damaging something physically or metaphorically. In legal contexts, “bust” is often used to describe law enforcement actions, such as arrests or drug raids. The term is common in both formal and informal settings, depending on its use.

Example Sentences:

1. The museum displayed a marble bust of the famous philosopher.
2. She measured her bust size to ensure the dress would fit perfectly.
3. The party was a complete bust because hardly anyone showed up.
4. The vase fell off the table and busted into several pieces.
5. The police busted the suspect during a drug raid last night.
6. The company went bust after a series of poor financial decisions.
7. He busted the lock open with a hammer when he lost the key.
8. The art student sculpted a bust of her mentor as a tribute.
9. After years of gambling, he ended up completely bust and had to declare bankruptcy.

Synonyms with Short Explanation:

1. Break – To cause something to separate into pieces or become damaged.
2. Shatter – To break something suddenly into many small fragments.
3. Collapse – To fail completely or fall apart, often referring to structures or systems.
4. Ruin – To destroy or severely damage something, especially in terms of finances or reputation.
5. Arrest – To detain someone legally for a crime or offense.

Related Words with Short Explanation:

1. Statue – A sculptural representation of a figure, often larger than a bust.
2. Failure – The state of not succeeding in an endeavor or task.
3. Breakage – The action of breaking or the state of being broken.
4. Bankruptcy – A legal state of financial failure or insolvency.
5. Demolition – The act of intentionally destroying a structure or object.

Antonyms:

1. Success – The accomplishment of an aim or goal, opposite of failure.
2. Repair – The action of fixing something that is broken or damaged.
3. Build – To construct or create something, as opposed to breaking it.
4. Profit – Financial gain, opposite of going bust or bankrupt.
5. Freedom – The state of being free, opposite of being arrested or busted.