I knew a wise man that had it for a byword. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
2. The object of a contemptuous saying.
[1913 Webster]
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen. --Ps. xliv. 14 [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
byword — index call (title), catchword, cognomen, maxim, phrase Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
byword — O.E. biword proverb, formed after L. proverbium, or Gk. para bole … Etymology dictionary
byword — *catchword, shibboleth, slogan Analogous words: proverb, *saying, saw, motto: *abuse, invective: legend, caption (see INSCRIPTION) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
byword — [n] saying adage, aphorism, apophthegm, axiom, catchphrase, catchword, dictum, epithet, gnome, gnomic saying, handle, maxim, motto, nickname, precept, proverb, saw, shibboleth, slogan, standing joke; concept 275 … New thesaurus
byword — ► NOUN 1) a notable example or embodiment of something. 2) a proverb or saying … English terms dictionary
byword — [bī′wʉrd΄] n. [ME & OE biword < bi (see BY) + WORD: formed after L proverbium ( pro + verbum), PROVERB] 1. a familiar saying; proverb 2. a person or thing proverbial for some quality 3. an object of scorn or ridicule … English World dictionary
byword — [[t]ba͟ɪwɜː(r)d[/t]] bywords 1) N COUNT: N for n Someone or something that is a byword for a particular quality is well known for having that quality. ...a region that had become a byword for violence and degeneracy. ...the Rolls Royce brand name … English dictionary
byword — by|word [ˈbaıwə:d US wə:rd] n 1.) be a byword for sth to be so well known for a particular quality that your name is used to represent that quality ▪ His name has become a byword for honesty in the community. 2.) [singular] a word, phrase, or… … Dictionary of contemporary English
byword — by|word [ baı,wɜrd ] noun singular byword for if someone or something is a byword for a particular quality, they have a strong reputation for that quality: The city is a byword for intolerance … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
byword — UK [ˈbaɪˌwɜː(r)d] / US [ˈbaɪˌwɜrd] noun [singular] if someone or something is a byword for a particular quality, they have a strong reputation for that quality byword for: The city is a byword for intolerance … English dictionary
