Definition of By the way

1. Adverb. Introducing a different topic; in point of fact. "Incidentally, I won't go to the party"

Exact synonyms: Apropos, By The Bye, Incidentally

Definition of By the way

1. Adverb. (context: conjunctive speech act idiomatic) Incidentally; a parenthetical statement not timely, central, or crucial to the topic at hand; foregone, passed by, something that has already happened. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of By The Way

by small degrees
by steam
by the Grace of God
by the book
by the by
by the bye
by the day
by the ears
by the hour
by the looks of things
by the numbers
by the piece
by the same token
by the skin of one's teeth
by the time
by the way (current term)
by trade
by trial and error
by turns
by virtue of
by walking
by way of
by word of mouth
by your leave
by your leaves
byard
byards
bybidder
bybidders
byblow

Literary usage of By the way

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

1. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, Izaak Walton (1909)
"Then he went to the Stile to see, and behold a Path lay along by the way on ... That's not like, said the other; look, doth it not go along by the way-side? ..."

2. The Dictionary of National Biography by Sidney Lee (1908)
"hie death to occupy his old shop in St. Nicholas Churchyard, where, by the way, it still exists (1880), with a tablet proclaiming its history, and rejoicing ..."

3. My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass (1855)
"CHAPTER XV. COVEY, THE NEGRO BREAKER. JOURNEY TO MY NEW MASTER'S MEDITATIONS BY THE WAY—VIEW OF CO- ..."

4. Publishers Weekly by Publishers' Board of Trade (U.S.), Book Trade Association of Philadelphia, American Book Trade Union, Am. Book Trade Association, R.R. Bowker Company (1878)
"The series of Edwin Booth's Prompt- Books, edited by Willie Winter, now issuing by this house, is, by the way, making an admirable series of standard plays ..."

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