By-word
a word or phrase associated with some person or thing; a characteristic expression, typical greeting, or the like.
a word or phrase used proverbially; common saying; proverb.
an object of general reproach, derision, scorn, etc.:
His crimes will make him a byword through the ages.
an epithet, often of scorn.
Historical Examples
The Sapphire Cross George Manville Fenn
The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens
In the Ranks of the C.I.V. Erskine Childers
Hester’s Counterpart Jean K. Baird
The Heart of the White Mountains, Their Legend and Scenery Samuel Adams Drake
Change in the Village (AKA George Bourne) George Sturt
The Iliad Homer
Skinner’s Dress Suit Henry Irving Dodge
Our Battery Orlando P. Cutter
The History of “Punch” M. H. Spielmann
noun
a person, place, or thing regarded as a perfect or proverbial example of something: their name is a byword for good service
an object of scorn or derision
a common saying; proverb
n.
Read Also:
- By-word-of-mouth
see: word of mouth
- Byword
a word or phrase associated with some person or thing; a characteristic expression, typical greeting, or the like. a word or phrase used proverbially; common saying; proverb. an object of general reproach, derision, scorn, etc.: His crimes will make him a byword through the ages. an epithet, often of scorn. Contemporary Examples Was Rick Santorum […]
- By-work
work done in addition to one’s regular work, as in intervals of leisure. Historical Examples The Life of James Renwick Thomas Houston Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) Various
- By-your-leave
an apology for not having sought permission. Historical Examples Kildares of Storm Eleanor Mercein Kelly Planet of the Damned Harry Harrison Sense of Obligation Henry Maxwell Dempsey (AKA Harry Harrison) Despoilers of the Golden Empire Gordon Randall Garrett A Breath of Prairie and other stories Will Lillibridge King–of the Khyber Rifles Talbot Mundy Slippy McGee, […]
- By-catch
noun unwanted fish and other sea animals caught in a fishing net along with the desired kind of fish