Definition of By and large

1. Adverb. Usually; as a rule. "By and large it doesn't rain much here"


Definition of By and large

1. Adverb. (set phrase focus) mostly, generally; with few exceptions ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of By And Large

by-way
by-ways
by-wipe
by-your-leave
by-your-leaves
by George
by God
by Jove
by a long shot
by a whisker
by accident
by all accounts
by all means
by all odds
by and by
by and large (current term)
by any chance
by any means
by artificial means
by chance
by choice
by choice(p)
by committee
by default
by definition
by degrees
by design
by dint of
by ear
by election

Literary usage of By and large

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. An American Glossary by Richard Hopwood Thornton (1912)
"Take 'em by and large, they're Panama mission, but actually travelled over ... 1875 Taking you by and large, you do seem to be more different better'n men. ..."

2. Dictionary of Americanisms: A Glossary of Words and Phrases Usually Regarded by John Russell Bartlett (1877)
"by and large. From every point of view; on the whole; after due consideration. Taken by and large, it [General Sherman's prediction] was a good ..."

3. Talks on Civics by Henry Holt (1901)
"P. Yes, true " roughly speaking," or " by and large." T. Well, we'll try to take ... Now, "in the rough," or "by and large," what does " sovereign " mean ? ..."

4. Together We Can: A Guide for Crafting a Profamily System of Education and by Atelia I. Melaville (1993)
"But by and large I think up and down the line people have been pretty supportive. ... by and large, the teaching profession has embraced the notion of ..."

5. Governance of Innovation Systems: Case Studies in Cross-Sectoral Policy by OECD Staff (2005)
"Such programmes by and large take on lives of their own, in the sense that the co-ordinating agency has no specific influence on their operation. ..."

6. Reinvention's Next Steps: Governing in a Balanced Budget World: National by Albert Gore (1996)
"And, by and large, neither did the results. These poor results then uncorked more rhetoric about how the government needed to become more businesslike. ..."

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