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By-law - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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bylaw
(noun)
1: a rule made by a local authority to regulate its own affairs
[syn: bye law]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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By-law : \By"-law`\ (b[imac]"-l[add]`), n. [Cf. Sw. bylag, D.
bylov, Icel. b[=y]arl["o]g, fr. Sw. & Dan. by town, Icel.
b[ae]r, byr (fr. b[^u]a to dwell) _ the word for law; hence,
a law for one town, a special law. Cf. Birlaw and see
Law.]
1. A local or subordinate law; a private law or regulation
made by a corporation for its own government.
There was likewise a law to restrain the by-laws, or
ordinances of corporations. --Bacon.
The law or institution; to which are added two
by-laws, as a comment upon the general law.
--Addison.
2. 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.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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