Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

busy-wait
     
         To wait for an {event} by {spinning} through a
        {tight loop} or timed-delay loop that {polls} for the event on
        each pass, as opposed to setting up an {interrupt handler} and
        continuing execution on another part of the task.  This is a
        wasteful technique, best avoided on {time-sharing} systems
        where a busy-waiting program may {hog} the processor.
     
        [{Jargon File}]
     
        (1999-06-10)