busters

Noun

buster (plural busters)

1. (colloquial) Someone who or something that bursts, breaks, or destroys a specified thing.
   • Now death, I pray thee what is it, but a buster of bonds; a destruction of toyle?1614, S. Jerome, Moses his Sight of Canaan, section 147
2. (slang) Forming compounds denoting a team, weapon, or device specialized in the destruction of the first element.
   • German ‘balloon busters’ attack the Dover barrage.1940 September 2, Life, 29/1
3. (US, colloquial, dated, slang) A broncobuster.
   • The buster must be careful to keep well away from sheds and timber.1891 July, Harper's Magazine, 208/2
4. (colloquial, slang) Forming compounds denoting an agent or agency tasked with reducing or eliminating the first element.
   • Men nicknamed him the ‘Booze Buster’, and cartoonists loved to picture him, revolver in hand,... fighting the demon rum.1920, F. A. McKenzie, ‘Pussyfoot’ Johnson, v. 83
5. (dated, slang) Someone or something remarkable, especially for being loud, large, etc.
   • ‘I had to clean this old roarer,’ continued the ‘editor’... as he wiped the barrel of his pistol. ‘She's a buster, I tell you.’1833 April, Parthenon, section 293
   1. (colloquial, dated, slang, variously expressing familiarity, admiration, or hostility) A form of address, particularly of men: guy, dude, fella, mack, buddy, loser. (Originally as 'old buster'.)
      • That's generous, old buster.1838 March 24, New Yorker, 4/1

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