by-law Meaning, Definition & Usage

By"-law` noun
Etymology
Cf.Sw.bylag, D.bylov, Icel.barlög, fr.Sw.& Dan. by town, Icel. bær, byr (fr. bûa to dwell) + the word for law; hence, a law for one town, a special law. Cf.Birlaw and see Law.
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913