byword

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English byword, byworde (“proverb”), from Old English bīword, bīwyrd, bīwyrde (“proverb, household word", also "adverb”), from Proto-West Germanic *bīwurdī, equivalent to by- +‎ word. Compare Latin proverbium, which byword may possibly be a translation of. Cognate with Old High German pīwurti (“proverb”). Compare also Old English bīspel (“proverb, example”), bīcwide (“byword, proverb, tale, fable”), Dutch bijwoord (“adverb”). === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈbaɪ.wə(ɹ)d/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈbaɪ.wɚd/ === Noun === byword (plural bywords) A proverb or proverbial expression, common saying; a frequently used word or phrase. A characteristic word or expression; a word or phrase associated with a person or group. Someone or something that stands as an example (i.e. metonymically) for something else, by having some of that something's characteristic traits. An object of notoriety or contempt, scorn or derision. A nickname or epithet. ==== Translations ==== === See also === bispel byspel === Further reading === “byword”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. == Middle English == === Alternative forms === biword, biworde, bywoorde, by-word, byworde === Etymology === From Old English bīword, modified from earlier bīwyrde, from Proto-West Germanic *bīwurdī; equivalent to by- +‎ word. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈbiːˌwurd/, /ˈbiːˌwoːrd/ === Noun === byword byword ==== Descendants ==== English: byword ==== References ==== “bī-wǒrd, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 27 February 2020.