\By"-law`\ (b[imac]"-l[add]`), n. [Cf. Sw. bylag, D.
bylov, Icel. b[=y]arl["o]g, fr. Sw. & Dan. by town, Icel.
b[ae]r, byr (fr. b[^u]a to dwell) + the word for law; hence,
a law for one town, a special law. Cf. {Birlaw} and see
{Law}.]
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.