Dictionary: BY – BZ

► BY n. a place of habitation; a village or town → 950 obs.
► BY A CONSIDERABLE SIGHT adv. by a long way, by a good deal. usually as a negative, such as ‘not by a considerable sight’ → E19
► BY A DAMN SIGHT adv. by a long way, by a good deal. usually as a negative, such as ‘not by a damn sight’ → E19
► BY A DARN SIGHT adv. by a long way, by a good deal. usually as a negative, such as ‘not by a darn sight’ → E19
► BY A JUGFUL adv. by a great deal, ‘by a long chalk’; usually used in the negative → E19 US sl.
► BY A LITTLE adv. gradually, little by little → 1968 Amer. dial.
► BY ALL THAT’S BLUE! int. an exclamation expressing surprise, emphatic confirmation, etc. → 1829
► BY A LONG CHALK adv. in a great degree; by far → 1846
► BY A LONG SHOT adv. by a good distance, by a considerable amount; usually used in the negative → M19
► BY A LONG SIGHT adv. by a long way, by a good deal. usually as a negative, such as ‘not by a long sight’ → E19
► BY A LONG WAYS adv. by far; far and away → 1952 Amer. dial.
► BY-AM-BY adv. by and by, presently → 1825 Amer. dial.
► BY A NOSE adv. by a narrow margin, barely → 1908 Amer. sl.
► BY A SIDE-WIND phr. in an indirect method or manner → 1648
► BY A SLUMP adv. as a whole, collectively, at a rough estimate → L17 Sc.
► BY A STREET adv. by a long way → 20C
► BY A TEXAS MILE phr. by a great distance or amount → 1984 Amer. dial.
► BY-A-WHISKER adj. very nearly tied; very close → 1970 Amer. sl.
► BYBIDDER  n. a person at an auction who bids with the object of raising the prices → 1848
► BY BIRD adv. by the most direct route, as the crow flies → 1967 Amer. dial.
► BY BITS adv. irregularly, fitfully, spasmodically → 1583 
► BY BITS AND STARTS adv. irregularly, spasmodically → 1715 
► BY-BLOW n. one who comes into the world by a side stroke; an illegitimate child, a bastard → 1595
► BY CAIN! int. a mild oath → 1819 Amer. sl.
► BY CHALKS adv. by a long way; often used in the negative, as ‘not by chalks’→ L19 Aust. sl.
► BY-CHILD n. an illegitimate child → 1894 Eng. dial.
► BY-CHOP n. a bastard → 1637
► BY CHRISTCHURCH! int. by Christ! → 1940 NZ & UK euphemism
► BY CHRIST’S WOUNDS! int. an oath → M14
► BY CRACKER! int. a mild oath → 1972 US
► BY CRACKEY ► BY CRACKY! int. By Christ! → 1800 Amer. euphemism
► BY CRICKETY! int. Christ! → 1959 Amer. dial. euphemism
► BY CRIMINY! int. an exclamation of surprise or annoyance → 1965 Amer. dial.
► BY CRIMUS! int. an exclamation of surprise or dismay → 1914 Amer. dial.
► BY CRIPES! int. an exclamation → 1910
► BY DAD! int. a mild oath → 1678
► BY DANG! int. damn! → L18 euphemism
► BY DASH! int. damn! → M19 sl.
► BY DINGY! int. a weak oath (rhymes with ‘clingy’) → 19C
► BY DIRR!  int. a common oath → 1891 Eng. dial.
► BY DOGGIES! int. a mild oath → 1950 Amer. dial.
► BY-DWELLER n. one who dwells close by or near; a neighbour → 1611 obs.
► BYE phr. goodbye → 1709
► BYE-BLOW n. one who comes into the world by a side stroke; an illegitimate child, a bastard → 1595
► BYE-BYE adj. unconscious or asleep; hence, dead → 1913 Amer. sl.
n. a nursery word for sleep → 1867
► BYE-BYES n. a nursery word for sleep → 1867
► BYE-DRINK n. an alcoholic dink taken other than at mealtimes → M18 sl.
► BYEE phr. goodbye → 1964
► BY FIRE!  int. a mild oath → 1916 Amer. dial.
► BY FITS AND FEAGS adv. by fits and starts → 1600 obs.
► BY FITS AND GIRDS adv. irregularly, fitfully, spasmodically → 1650 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► BY FITS AND SPASMS adv. irregularly, fitfully, spasmodically → 1797 obs.
► BY FITS AND SPURTS adv. by fits and starts → 1653 obs.
► BY FITS AND STARTS adv. irregularly, fitfully, spasmodically → 1627 
► BY FITS AND TURNS adv. irregularly, fitfully, spasmodically → 1678 obs.
► BYFRAP vb. to beat about, to thrash → 1380 obs.
► BY GAD! int. By God! → 1611
► BY GADS-LID! int. an exclamation → 1598
► BY GADS-NIGGERS! int. an exclamation → 1657
► BY GAM!  int. a disguised oath → 1762 Eng. dial.
► BY GAR!  int. an oath and exclamation → L16
► BY GARY! int. an exclamation → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BY GEE AND JAY! int. an exclamation and oath; By God and Jesus! → 1982 (Bk.)
► BY GEORGE! int. a mild exclamation of surprise, approval, determination, emphasis, etc. → 1731
► BY GHOST! int. a general exclamation → 1960 Aust.
► BY GIGS! int. by Jesus! → M16 euphemism
► BY GINGER! int. by Jesus! → M19 euphemism
► BY GIS! int. by Jesus → 16C euphemism
► BY-GOD adv. used as a general intensifier, as ‘the by-god worst thing ever’ → L19 US
► BY GOD AND BY GUESS adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial.
► BY GODFREY! int. an exclamation → 1868 Amer. dial.
► BY GODFREY CAESAR! int. an exclamation → 1959 Amer. dial.
► BY GODFREY MIGHTY! int. an exclamation → 1904 Amer. dial.
► BY GOD’S CROSS! int. an oath → 1420 obs.
► BY GOD’S DINES! int. a mild oath → L16
► BY GOD’S SONTIES! int. an oath → 1596 obs.
► BY GOLES! int. by God! → E18 euphemism
► BY GOLEY! int. by God! → M19 euphemism
► BY GOLLIES! int. by God! → M19 euphemism
► BY GOLLY! int. by God! → M19 euphemism
► BY GONNIES! int. an exclamation of surprise, annoyance, etc. → 1931 Amer. dial.
► BY GOOD GRAVY! int. by God! → M19 euphemism
► BY GOOD RIGHTS phr. it should be so → 1903 sl. (Bk.)
► BY GOR! int. by God! → M19 euphemism
► BY GORRY! int. an exclamation of surprise → 1854 Amer. dial.
► BY GOSH! int. by God! → M18 euphemism
► BY GRABS!  int. an expression of surprise or annoyance → 1898 Amer. dial. euphemism for ‘by God’
► BY GRANNY! int. an exclamation of astonishment → M19
► BY GRAVY!  int. used as a mild oath or as an expression of surprise or annoyance → 1831 Amer. dial.
► BY GREAT JINGO! int. a mild oath → 1871 sl.
► BY GUESS AND BY DAMNED adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial.
► BY GUESS AND BY GAR adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial.
► BY GUESS AND BY GOD adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1923 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUESS AND BY GODFREY adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUESS AND BY GOLLY adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1914 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUESS AND BY GORRY adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUESS AND BY GOSH adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUESS AND BY GRACIOUS adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUESS AND BY GUY adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUESS AND BY JINGO adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1965 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUESS OR BY GOD adv. haphazardly, at random; without planning ahead; hit or miss → 1963 Amer. dial. 
► BY GUINEA! int. an exclamation and oath; “By God!” → 20C US colloq.
► BY GUM! int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment → 1815
► BY GUMMY!  int. a mild oath → 1872 Amer. dial. 
► BY HAB OR BY NAB adv. by hook or by crook; by any means necessary; anyhow, anyway → 1903 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BY HABS AND NABS adj. at odd moments, or in intervals of leisure; piecemeal → 1903 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BY HALF! int. an emphatic intensifier → L17 
► BY HALF LIGHTS adv. indistinctly, vaguely, dimly → 1711
► BY HALVERS adv. incompletely → 1867 Amer. dial.
► BY HALVES AND FITS adv. irregularly, fitfully, spasmodically → 1635 obs.
► BY HAND adj. on foot → 1968 Amer. dial. 
► BY-HANGER n. a hanger-on; a parasite → 1626 obs. 
► BY HAP adv. by chance, casually; perhaps → 1388 obs. 
► BY HEAD AND SHOULDERS adv. 1. by force, violently → 1581
adv. 2. considerably, by far → 1864 
► BY HEAPS adv. in crowds, in large quantities, in great numbers → 1523 obs. 
► BY HEAVENS!  int. an asseveration → 1610 
► BY-HECK adj. boorish; rustic → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BY-HECKITY adj. boorish; rustic → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BY HELL’S PEEKHOLE!  int. an oath → 1944 Amer. dial.
► BY HEN!  int. a mild oath; hell! → 1907 Amer. dial.
► BYHIRNE vb. to hide in a corner → 1394 obs.
► BY HIS HOOKERS! int. an exclamation and oath → E17
► BY HOKEY! int. a mild exclamation → 19C US
► BY HOKY-POKY! int. a mild exclamation → 19C US
► BY HOOK OR BY THRAW adv. by hook or by crook, anyway, anyhow → 1890 Sc.
► BY HOOKY! int. a mild exclamation → 19C US
► BYHORE vb. to commit adultery against → 1440 obs.
► BY JACKS! int. a mild oath → 1931 Amer. dial.
► BY JACKSON! int. by Jesus! → M19 euphemism
► BY JAIMMINTY! int. an exclamation or quasi-oath → 1900 Ireland
► BY JAKLE! int. a disguised oath → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BY JAPERS ► BY JAPPERS int. a low oath → 1821
► BY JAYKLE! int. a disguised oath → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BY JEEMS’ COUSIN! int. a mild oath → 1950 Amer. dial.
► BY JEEMS RICE! int. a mild oath → 1959 Amer. dial.
► BY JEEPERS! int. a mild oath → 1930 Amer. dial.
► BY JEEZ! int. a mild oath → 1965 Amer. dial.
► BY JEHOSAPHAT! int. an exclamation or mild oath → 1952 Amer. dial.
► BY JEHOSHAPHAT! int. an oath and an exclamation, possibly avoiding “Jesus” → 20C
► BY JERPS! int. an expression of astonishment → 1927 Amer. dial.
► BY JERUSALEM! int. a mild oath → 1840 Amer. dial.
► BY-JESUS n. the guts, the stuffing, the ‘daylights’ → 1940 sl.
► BY JESWAX! int. a mild oath → 1895 Amer. dial.
► BY JIBBERS! int. a mild oath → 1924 Amer. dial.
► BY JIGGERS! int. an exclamation of annoyance or disgust → 1924 Amer. dial.
► BY JIM! int. a mild oath → 1866 Amer. dial.
► BY JIMINY int. a mild oath → 1867 Amer. dial.
► BY JIMINY CRICKET int. an exclamation of surprise → 1848 Amer. dial.
► BY JIMMINY int. by Jesus! → E19 euphemism
► BY JIMMY int. by Jesus! → E19 euphemism
► BY JING! int. an asseveration → 1785 Sc.
► BY JINGLES! int. an exclamation; by golly! → 1970 Amer. dial.
► BY JINGO! int. a mild oath → 1691 sl.
► BY JINKS! int. by Jesus! → 1870 euphemism
► BY JIS! int. by Jesus! → M19 euphemism
► BY JOCKS! int. an oath and exclamation → 1896 Amer. dial.
► BY JOCKUM! int. an oath and exclamation → 20C US sl.
► BY-JOE adj. excellent; first-rate (French ‘bijou’) → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
int. (‘by Joe!) by Jesus! → M19 euphemism
► BY JOE BEESWAX! int. an ejaculation → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BY JOHN ROGERS! int. an exclamation → 1959 Amer. dial.
► BY JOVE! int. by God! → L16
► BY JUCKERS! int. an exclamation of surprise or excitement → 1859 Amer. dial.
► BY JUMPS! int. an exclamation or mild oath → 1959 Amer. dial. obs.
► BY JUPITER! int. an exclamation → 17C
► BYKE n. a bisexual woman → 1990 US homosexual sl.
► BYKER TEA-CAKE n. a head-butt → 1990 sl.
► BY KING! int. a mild oath → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BYKING n. a hive, a swarm → 1822 Sc.
► BY LADYKIN! int. an oath or exclamation → 1812 Eng. dial.
► BYLAND n. a peninsula → 1577 obs.
► BY LEDDY! int. an exclamation → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BY LITTLES adv. gradually, little by little → 1968 Amer. dial.
► BY LUMPS adv. by instalments, piecemeal → 1576 obs.
► BY MANY FARS  adv. by many degrees, very much → 1790 Sc.
► BYMEBY adv. by and by, presently → 1825 Amer. dial.
► BY MEGGINS! int. an oath or exclamation → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BYMODERED adj. besmeared with mud; bemired → 1307 obs.
► BY MY CADAVER! int. a mild oath → L19 Cockney usage
► BY MY FAY! int. a quasi-oath → 1300 obs.
► BY MY FIG! int. an exclamation of astonishment or emphasis → M17
► BY MY FIGGINS! int. an exclamation of astonishment or emphasis → M17
► BY MY HEAD phr. by simple reasoning or intuition → 1969 Amer. dial.
► BY MY HOOD! int. a mild exclamation → L14
► BY MY OWN HEAD phr. by simple reasoning or intuition → 1969 Amer. dial.
► BY MY SALUTED AUNT! int. an exclamation and mock oath → 20C colloq.
► BY MY SANG! int. a mild expletive of asseveration or surprise; by Jove!, upon my word! → 1790 Sc.
► BY MY SHEATH! int. a petty oath → 1532 obs.
► BY MY SOWKINS! int. an exclamation of assertion → 1900 Aust.
► BY MY VIRGINITY! int. an exclamation and mild oath → 20C
► BY NAILS AND BY BLOOD! int. an oath → 1386 obs.
► BY NAVY adv. by ship → 1400 obs.
► BY NED! int. a mild oath → 1853 Amer. dial.
► B.Y.O. phr. Bring Your Own; refers to bringing drinks to a party or an unlicensed restaurant → 1960 Aust. & US
► BYO n. a cradle → 1902 Amer. dial.
► B.Y.O.B. phr. Bring Your Own Bottle → 1950 Aust. & US
► BY ODD adv. separately, by itself, alone → 1330 obs.
► BY ODDS adv. by far, considerably → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BY ODDS AND BOBS adv. piecemeal, at odd times → 1805 Eng. dial. 
► B.Y.O.G. phr. Bring Your Own Grog → 1960 Aust. sl. 
► B.Y.O.L. phr. Bring Your Own Liquor → 1960 Aust. & US sl. 
► BY ONE’S LEE-LANE adv. quite alone, by oneself → 1878 Sc. 
► BY ONE’S LONE phr. alone, by oneself → 1910 Amer. dial. 
► BY PARCELS adv. a part at a time, piecemeal → 1412 arch.  
► BY-PASS vb. to pass, to surpass → 1848 
► BYPASSER n. a passerby → 1904 Amer. dial. 
► BYPAST adj. that has passed out of life; deceased, departed → 1425 obs. 
► BY SAGGS! int. a mild expletive of asseveration or surprise; by Jove!, upon my word! → 1898 Sc. 
► BY SALMON! int. an oath or asseveration → 1550 cant obs. 
► BY SANG! int. a petty oath → 1904 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BY SANNIES! int. a mild oath → 1839 Ireland 
► BYSAWE n. a current saying; a proverb → 1225 obs. 
► BY-SCAPE n. a bastard → 1646 obs.
► BY SCISSORS! int. a mild oath → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BYSCORN n. contempt, scorn → 1387 obs.
vb. to cover with scorn → 1386 obs.
► BYSEN adj. monstrous, shocking, conspicuously bad or disgraceful → 1375 obs.
n. something monstrous or portentous; a shocking sight; a sorry spectacle; a disgraceful thing → 1525 obs.
vb. to liken, to compare → 1325 obs.
► BYSENING adj. ill-boding, portentous; monstrous; frightful → 1375 obs.
► BY-SLIP n. 1. a casual or trivial fault → 1612 obs.
n. 2. a bastard → 1670 obs.
► BY SLUMP adv. as a whole, collectively, at a rough estimate → L17 Sc.
► BY SMALL AND SMALL adv. gradually, slowly; by degrees → 1558 arch.
► BY SNAPS adv. fitfully, spasmodically → 1631 obs.
► BY-SON n. an illegitimate son → 1887 Eng. dial.
► BYSPARKIT adj. bespattered, spotted → 1513 Sc. obs.
► BY-SPEECH n. an incidental or casual speech → 1593 obs.
► BYSPEL n. 1. a proverb → 1000 obs.
n. 2. an illegitimate child → 1781 obs.
► BY SPURTS adv. spasmodically, fitfully → 1605 
► BYSS vb. 1. to sing or hum children to sleep → 1440 obs.
vb. 2. to hiss or fizz, as in the fire → 1522 obs.
► BYSTANDER n. a spectator or onlooker; a person who is present when something is happening but is not involved → 1534 
► BYSTOUR n. a loud, rude talker; a braggart, a bully → 1535 Sc. obs.
► BY SUCCESSION(S) adv. successively → 1432 obs.
► BY SUNDRIES adv. individually; separately → 1400 obs.
► BYSWELT vb. to burn, to scorch → 1420 obs.
► BYSWENKE vb. to work hard; to exert oneself, to labour → 1400 obs.
► BY-SYBBE n. a relative → 1440 obs.
► BYSYM n. something monstrous or portentous; a shocking sight, a sorry spectacle, a disgraceful thing → 1568 Sc. obs.
► B.Y.T. n. Bright Young Things → 2000 sl.
► BY-TALK n. irrelevant speech, small talk → 1551 
► BYTE n. money → 1903 sl. (Bk.)
► BY-TERM n. a by-name, a nickname → 1579 obs.
► BY THE ASS adj. in trouble → 1971 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► BY THE BACK DOOR  adv. secretly or unofficially → 1999 (Bk.)
► BY THE BALD-HEADED JEWS! int. a mild profanity → 1939 Amer. dial.
► BY THE BIG HOOK-BLOCK! int. a mild oath → 1867 Amer. nautical  sl.
► BY THE BIRD adv. by the most direct route, as the crow flies → 1982 Amer. dial.
► BY THE BOARD adj. correct → 1945 World War II Amer. Army sl.
► BY THE BONES OF DAVY JONES! int. a mild oath → 1910 Aust. sl.
► BY THE BOOK adv. according to correct procedures; as one should under regulations, law, contract, etc. → 1840 Amer.
► BY THE BOXCAR adj. in great quantity, numerous → 1960 Amer. sl.
► BY THE BUTTONS!  int. an oath, expletive → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk..)
► BY THE CARLOAD adj. in great quantity, numerous → 1960 Amer. sl.
► BY THE CLOCK adv. 1. absolutely, definitely → 1910 US sl.
adv. 2. manifestly, clearly, evidently → 1920 Amer. sl.
► BY THE CRINGE! int. by Christ! → 1980 euphemism
► BY THE DIRRS!  int. a common oath → 1891 Eng. dial. 
► BY THE ELEVENS! int. an exclamation and oath → 19C
► BY THE ETERNAL! int. an exclamation and oath → 19C
► BY THE ETERNAL GOD! int. an exclamation and oath → 19C
► BY THE GOOD KATTY! int. a mild oath, ‘by the good St. Catherine → L19 UK sl.
► BY THE GREAT ANCHOR! int. by God! → M19 euphemism
► BY THE GREAT HORN-SPOON! int. exclamation of surprise → 1860 Amer. dial.
► BY THE HARDEST adv. with great difficulty → 1935 Amer. dial.
► BY THE HEAD adj. slightly intoxicated → 1860 sl.
► BY THE HEAD AND EARS adv. roughly, violently, as one drags a beast → 1590
► BY THE HOKEY! int. a mild exclamation → 19C US
► BY THE HOKY-POKY! int.  a mild exclamation → 19C US
► BY THE HOLY! int. an exclamation of surprise, excitement, alarm, etc. → 19C
► BY THE HOLY IRON! int. a general oath → 19C
► BY THE HOLY JUMPING JOHN ROGERS! int. an exclamation → 1949 Amer. dial.
► BY THE HOLY POKER int. an asseveration → 1770 chiefly Irish English, humorous usage
► BY THE HOLY POKER AND THE TUMBLING TOM! int. a general oath → 19C
► BY THE HOLY POKER OF HELL int. a general oath → 19C
► BY THE HOOK-BLOCK! int. a mild oath → 1833 Amer. nautical  sl.
► BY THE HORN AND THE HOOF! int. an exclamation → 17C
► BY THE JUMPING JOHN ROGERS! int. an exclamation → 1905 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BY THE JUMPING JUDAS! int. an oath → 1901 Amer. dial.
► BY THE LITTLES adv. gradually, little by little → 1968 Amer. dial.
► BY THE LIVING JINGO! int. a mild oath → 1766 sl.
► BY THE LIVIN’ LAWS! int. a form of affirmation → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BY THE LORD HARRY! int. exclamation expressing surprise or assertion → 1687
► BY THE LORD OF HEAVEN! int. an oath and an exclamation → 20C colloq. 
► BY THE LUG AND THE HORN phr. by main force → 1828
► BY THE MACK! int. an exclamatory form of asseveration → 1560 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► BY THE MACKINS! int. an exclamatory form of asseveration → 1560 obs. exc. Eng. dial. 
► BY THE MAN! int. an expletive → 1885 Eng. dial. 
► BY THE MASKINS! int. by the mass! an asseverative exclamation → 1611 obs. exc. Eng. dial. 
► BY THE MASS! int. an oath → 1369
► BY THE MEGGINS! int. an oath or exclamation → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BY THE MEGS! int. an oath or exclamation → 1864 Eng. dial. 
► BY THE MOUSE-FOOT! int. a mild exclamation → M16 
► BY THE NEW TIME adv. very quickly → 1910 sl. 
► BY THE NUMBERS adv. in a prescribed way; mechanically; precisely, correctly → 1918 World War I armed forces usage
► BY THE PANDHEREN PARTHA! int. an oath → 1836 Ireland 
► BY THE PIPER! int. a mild exclamation → 19C 
► BY THE PIPER THAT PLAYED BEFORE MOSES! int. a mild exclamation → 19C 
► BY THE PIPER THAT SHOOK THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY! int. a mild exclamation → 19C 
► BY THE POWERS OF MOLL DOYLE! int. a mild oath → E19 Irish 
► BY THE POWERS OF MOLL KELLY! int. a mild oath → E19 Irish 
► BY THE RACK OF ONE’S EYE phr. using sight and judgement alone, without further rule or guide → 1899 Amer. dial. 
► BY THE SACRED STARS AND STRIPES! int. an exclamation of surprise → L19 US
► BY THE SALMON! int. an oath or asseveration → 1611 cant obs.
► BY THE SEAT OF ONE’S PANTS adv. by instincts and feelings, without the benefit of formal training or procedures → 1938 Amer. aviation usage 
► BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH adv. with difficulty, narrowly, barely → 1893 
► BY THE SLUMP adv. as a whole, collectively, at a rough estimate → L17 Sc. 
► BY THE TEMO! int. an exclamation or mild oath → 1867 Ireland
► BY THE TENTH DEAL adv. ten-fold → 1330 obs. 
► BY THE TRUCKFUL adj. in great quantity, numerous → 1960 Amer. sl.
► BY-THE-WAY n. an incidental remark → 1896 
► BY THIS AND THAT! int. an expletive → 1842 Ireland 
► BY THIS HAT! int. a general exclamation → L16
► BY TIME! int. by God! → 1848 Amer. euphemism 
► BY TIMES adv. 1. occasionally → 1841 Eng. & Amer. dial. 
adv. 2. early → 1875 Eng. dial. 
► BY TOOTH AND TOENAIL adv. fiercely, intensely → 1923 Amer. dial. 
► BY-VIEW  n. 1. selfish or private view; self-interested aim or purpose → 1706 obs. 
n. 2. a side glance, a glimpse; a look directed to an object, not immediately before the eye → 1753 
► BY VUM! int. an exclamation → 1890 Amer. dial. 
► BYWARD ► BYWARDS adv. sideways → 1556 obs. 
► BY WAY OF CHEAPSIDE adv. on the cheap, at a bargain price → L18
► BYWENT adv. bygone, past → 1522 Sc. obs. 
► BY-WIPE n. 1. an indirect reproof or sarcasm; an insinuation → 1641
n. 2. a bastard; an illegitimate child → 1889 Eng. dial.
► BY YOUR LEAVE phr. an expression of apology for not having asked permission; the asking of permission → 1914
► BY ZIGGITY! int. an exclamation of joy or surprise → 1930 Amer. dial.