: a parallel and sometimes less important form of a word, stem, or formative element in a given language or dialect

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of by-form was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near by-form

Cite this Entry

“By-form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by-form. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!