buster

== English == === Etymology === Originally a dialectal variant of burster; later influenced by bust +‎ -er. The combining form of the term has appeared from the early 20th century but been especially prolific during three periods: in the 1930s, owing to the success of the radio series Gang Busters; in the 1940s, owing to its appearance as military slang; and in the 1980s, owing to the success of the movie Ghostbusters. === Pronunciation === Rhymes: -ʌstə(ɹ) === Noun === buster (plural busters) (chiefly colloquial, with 'of') Someone who or something that bursts, breaks, or destroys a specified thing. (chiefly military slang) Forming compounds denoting a team, weapon, or device specialized in the destruction of the first element. (chiefly colloquial, with 'of') Someone who or something that 'breaks', tames, or overpowers a specified person or thing. (US, in particular, dated, slang) A broncobuster. (chiefly law enforcement slang) Forming compounds denoting an agent or agency tasked with reducing or eliminating the first element. 1920, F. A. McKenzie, ‘Pussyfoot’ Johnson, v. 83: Men nicknamed him the ‘Booze Buster’, and cartoonists loved to picture him, revolver in hand,... fighting the demon rum. 1974 July 4, New Scientist, 65/2: The professional fraud-busters [of the art world]. (dated, slang) Someone or something remarkable, especially for being loud, large, etc. (colloquial, variously expressing familiarity, admiration, or hostility) A form of address, particularly of men: guy, dude, fella, mack, buddy, loser. (Originally as 'old buster'.) (obsolete, slang) A loaf of bread. (obsolete, slang) A drinking spree, a binge. (dated, slang) A gale, a strong wind; (especially Australia) a southerly buster. (Australia and New Zealand) A heavy fall; (also performing arts) a staged fall, a pratfall. (US, regional) A molting crab. 1855 October 18, Henry A. Wise, letter in J.P. Hambleton's Biographical Sketch of Henry A. Wise (1856), 448: In that state he is called a ‘Buster’, bursting his shell. (gambling, slang) A cheat's die whose sides bear only certain combinations of spots, so that undesirable values can never be rolled. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === “buster”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. === Anagrams === Strube, Stuber, brutes, burets, rebuts, tubers == Danish == === Noun === buster indefinite plural of buste