rare. [f. BUSY a. + -NESS: a modern formation on busy, the already existing word business having acquired different meaning and pronunciation.] Busy state or quality; BUSINESS I, and next.
1868. Mrs. Whitney, P. Strong, vii. The bright brisk busyness of the squirrel.
1868. G. Macdonald, Seaboard Parish, I. xi. 164. She was once more laid on her couch on the lawn, in the midst of the world of light and busy-ness.
1880. H. B. Forman, in Macm. Mag., May, 53/1. An interesting example of the busyness of rumour.
