Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A separate, private, or obscure street; a lane or byway.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A separate, private, or obscure street; an out of the way or cross street.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • He went forth one day, he and Ibn Hamdún,348 to divert himself with observing his lieges and hearing the latest news of the people; and, being overtaken with the heats of noonday, they turned aside from the main thoroughfare into a little by-street, at the upper end whereof they saw a handsome and high-builded mansion, discoursing of its owner with the tongue of praise.

    The Book of The Thousand Nights And A Night 2006

  • You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square

    it was then they realized - Lolcats 'n' Funny Pictures of Cats - I Can Has Cheezburger? 2008

  • So I braced myself up and heartened my heart and went out and walked on till I came to the by-street, where I sat down on the bench awhile.

    The Book of The Thousand Nights And A Night 2006

  • Then he turned aside into a handsome by-street, followed by the young woman, and walked on till he came to the end, when he found it was no thoroughfare and exclaimed, There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the

    The Book of The Thousand Nights And A Night 2006

  • Presently she came to a by-street, spread with carpets and lighted with hanging lamps, and heard a noise of singing-women and drumming of tambourines.

    The Book of The Thousand Nights And A Night 2006

  • You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square

    Gordon Brown by Those Who Know Him Best 2007

  • “A head like a gem,” went on that woman born in some by-street of Rome, and

    The Arrow of Gold 2006

  • A corridor joined the theatre to the door on the by-street; and with this the cabinet communicated separately by a second flight of stairs.

    The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 2004

  • Round the corner from the by-street, there was a square of ancient, handsome houses, now for the most part decayed from their high estate and let in flats and chambers to all sorts and conditions of men: map-engravers, architects, shady lawyers, and the agents of obscure enterprises.

    The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 2004

  • Mr. Enfield and the lawyer were on the other side of the by-street; but when they came abreast of the entry, the former lifted up his cane and pointed.

    The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 2004

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