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Definition 2024

by-

by-

See also: by, BY, by., -by, .by, b'y, and bý

English

Alternative forms

  • bye-

Prefix

by-

  1. (usually non-productive) Prefix originally denoting a town or city
    bylaw

Etymology 2

Partly from a combining form of by ‎(“by, near, around”), and partly continuing Middle English bi-, by-, from Old English bī- ‎(“by, near, around”), from Proto-Germanic *bi ‎(“near”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁epi ‎(“on, by, near”).

Prefix

by-

  1. Prefix denoting nearness or roundaboutness
    bystander, bypass
  2. Prefix meaning secondary, incidental, or parallel to
    by-product, byform, by-path

Etymology

From Middle English by ‎(“town”), of North Germanic origin, from Old Norse bȳr ‎(“dwelling, town”), from Proto-Germanic *būwiz ‎(“dwelling”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰōw- ‎(“to dwell”). Cognate with Danish by ‎(“town”). More at bower.

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