by-matter
(ˈbaɪˌmætə(r))
[f. by- 3 c, 5 + matter.]
Something beside the main business; a side incident; a trivial, unimportant matter.
| 1552 T. Barnabe in Ellis Orig. Lett. ii. No. 145 II. 197 Few men..was sente soe manye tymes to the Counsell privylye, for bye matters as I was. 1580 North Plutarch 286 His Accusers..running into other by-matters, left the chief matter. 1674 Consid. Peace & Goodw. Prot. 8 Dissenters and Scruplers in by-matters. 1685 Manton Christ's Tempt. vi. Wks. 1870 I. 314 Christ answereth to the main point, not to by-matters. 1755 in Johnson. 1852 Smith Eng. & Fr. Dict., By-matter, incident. |