Word Study
by-law
CIDE DICTIONARY
by-law, n. [Cf. Sw. bylag, D. bylov, Icel. b, fr. Sw. & Dan. by town, Icel. bær, byr (fr. bûa to dwell) + the word for law; hence, a law for one town, a special law. Cf. Birlaw and see Law.].
- A local or subordinate law; a private law or regulation made by a corporation for its own government. [1913 Webster]"There was likewise a law to restrain the by-laws, or ordinances of corporations." [1913 Webster]"The law or institution; to which are added two by-laws, as a comment upon the general law." [1913 Webster]
- A law that is less important than a general law or constitutional provision, and subsidiary to it; a rule relating to a matter of detail; as, civic societies often adopt a constitution and by-laws for the government of their members. In this sense the word has probably been influenced by by, meaning secondary or aside. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
by-law, n. (also bye-law)
1 Brit. a regulation made by a local authority or corporation.
2 a rule made by a company or society for its members.
1 Brit. a regulation made by a local authority or corporation.
2 a rule made by a company or society for its members.
Etymology
ME prob. f. obs. byrlaw local custom (ON b|jar genitive sing. of b|r town, but assoc. with BY)
For further exploring for "by-law" in Webster Dictionary Online
