by

/baɪ/

noun

1
A flying insect, of the clade Anthophila within the hymenopteran superfamily Apoidea, known for its organised societies (though only a minority have them), for collecting pollen and (in some species) producing wax and honey.

1
(usually in the plural) Any of the pieces of hard wood bolted to the sides of the bowsprit, to reeve the fore-topmast stays through.

1
Along a path which runs past the speaker.
“I watched as it passed by.”
2
In the vicinity, near.
“The shop is hard by the High Street.”
3
To or at a place, as a residence or place of business.
“I'll stop by on my way home from work.”
4
Aside, away.
“The women spent much time after harvest putting jams by for winter and spring.”

1
Near or next to.
“The mailbox is by the bus stop.”
2
From one side of something to the other, passing close by; past.
“He ran straight by me.”
3
Not later than (the given time); not later than the end of (the given time interval).
“Be back by ten o'clock!.”
4
Indicates the person or thing that does or causes something: Through the action or presence of.
5
Indicates the creator of a work: Existing through the authorship etc. of.
“There are many well-known plays by William Shakespeare”
6
Indicates a means of achieving something: Involving/using the means of.
“By 'maybe' she means 'no'.”
7
Indicates an authority according to which something is done.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife.”
8
Indicates a means of classification or organisation.
“I sorted the items by category.”
9
Indicates the amount of change, difference or discrepancy
“His date of birth was wrong by ten years.”
10
In the formulae X by X and by Xs, indicates a steady progression, one X after another.
“We crawled forward by inches.”
11
Indicates a referenced source: According to.
“By my reckoning, we should be nearly there.”
12
Used to separate dimensions when describing the size of something.
“It is easy to invert a 2-by-2 matrix.”
13
(horse breeding) Designates a horse's male parent (sire); cf. out of.
“She's a lovely little filly, by Big Lad, out of Damsel in Distress.”

1
The position of a person or team in a tournament or competition who draws no opponent in a particular round so advances to the next round unopposed, or is awarded points for a win in a league table; also the phantom opponent of such a person or team.
“Craig's Crew plays the bye next week.”
2
An extra scored when the batsmen take runs after the ball has passed the striker without hitting either the bat or the batsman.
3
A dwelling.
4
A thing not directly aimed at; something which is a secondary object of regard; an object by the way, etc.
5
A pass.

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