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by-. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
by-, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
by- in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
by- you have here. The definition of the word
by- will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
by-, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology 1
From Middle English by (“town”), of North Germanic origin, from Old Norse býr (“dwelling, town”), from Proto-Germanic *būwiz (“dwelling”). Cognate with Danish by (“town”). More at bower.
Prefix
by-
- (now mostly non-productive) 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- (“by-”). Cognate with Dutch bij-, German bei-.
Prefix
by-
- Nearness or roundaboutness.
- bystander, bypass
- Secondary, incidental, or parallel to.
- by-product, byform, by-path
Derived terms
Translations
nearness or roundaboutness
secondary, incidental, or parallel to
Anagrams
Middle English
Etymology 1
Inherited from Old English bī-, from bī (Middle English by); compare bi-.
Pronunciation
Prefix
by-
- A prefix forming nouns, often denoting adjacency, position, or relation.; near, around
Derived terms
Descendants
References
Etymology 2
Prefix
by-
- Alternative form of bi-