Talk:by-
Latest comment: 2 years ago by Leasnam
Etymology
[edit]It seems to me like the meaning for bylaw and bypass fits much better with the meaning of "by-" meaning side, or secondary, since for example a bylaw is not the main law of a nation/group, etc., like a constitution, but a type of secondary or more specific law or rule. It seems here to mean secondary to the constitution/main body of law. Bypass is a passage to the side of something, and not the main way through something, again showing the meaning of "on the side, secondary". Another example is byname. Are there examples of usage available showing it being used in some way related to town or city? 75.121.180.115 13:40, 20 January 2015 (UTC)
- According to Online Etym Dict it would be correct that "bylaw" was originally "town law". However, the question is indeed whether there are any other examples of this sense. If not, the entry should be stricken. You can hardly call something a "prefix" if it is used in exactly one word. Three would be the absolute minimum in my opinion, five would be better. 178.1.250.125 22:42, 30 September 2022 (UTC)
- bypass (“a road that goes around a town”) is another possible/likely example. A bypass seems to usually be used in reference to a town, and not much else (you don't use a bypass to go around an accident or wreck, or other obstruction--that's usually called a detour. Can you think of any other uses for bypass as a noun ? Leasnam (talk) 18:51, 1 October 2022 (UTC)
- I'm searching for some better, surer examples...Leasnam (talk) 19:19, 1 October 2022 (UTC)
- bypass (“a road that goes around a town”) is another possible/likely example. A bypass seems to usually be used in reference to a town, and not much else (you don't use a bypass to go around an accident or wreck, or other obstruction--that's usually called a detour. Can you think of any other uses for bypass as a noun ? Leasnam (talk) 18:51, 1 October 2022 (UTC)