01 n. A thing not directly aimed at; something which is a secondary object of regard; an object by the way, etc.; as in on or upon the bye, i. e.…
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1.
A thing not directly aimed at; something which is a secondary object of regard; an object by the way, etc.; as in on or upon the bye, i. e., in passing; indirectly; by implication.[Obs. except in the phrase by the bye.]“The Synod of Dort condemneth upon the bye even the discipline of the Church of England.” — Fuller.
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2.
A run made upon a missed ball; as, to steal a bye.(Cricket)
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3.
In various sports in which the contestants are drawn in pairs, the position or turn of one left with no opponent in consequence of an odd number being engaged; as, to draw a bye in a round of a tennis tournament.
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4.
The hole or holes of a stipulated course remaining unplayed at the end of a match.(Golf)
Phrases & compounds
By the bye —
in passing; by way of digression; apropos to the matter in hand.