Dictionary

by-turning en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (archaic, rare) A way turning from the main road; a sideroad.
   • the many by-turnings that may divert you from your way a. 1587 (date written), Phillip Sidney [i.e., Philip Sidney], An Apologie for Poetrie. […], London: […] [James Roberts] for Henry Olney, […], published 1595, →OCLC; republished as Edward Arber, editor, An Apologie for Poetrie (English Reprints), London: [Alexander Murray & Son], 1 April 1868, →OCLC:
   • Noeline. / No, mother, but I got mixed up in a street-fight, through protecting a girl from a brute who was going to hit her. I punched him, mother! […] Noeline. / After I’d done it I ran away, and fainted in a by-turning. 1895, Arthur W. Pinero, The Amazons: A Farcical Romance in Three Acts, London: William Heinemann, [Act III], page 159:
   • Passing under Waterloo bridge on our left lay Summerset House^([sic]) where all records of births, marriages and deaths are kept. Took a byturning on our left and reached the Strand, down which we proceeded to Trafalgar Square, saw the monument erected in memory of Lord Nelson. 1917 September 13, Srgt. Dr. A. Pine, “Soldiers’ Letters”, in North Hastings Review, volume 40, number 37, Madoc, Ontario, page 8:
   • Alias Children, Sir: they have rung me / Such a Ring this Morning through / Every By-turning that leads to a Baudy- / Houſe, […] c. 1667, James Howard, All Mistaken; or, The Mad Couple. A Comedy, Acted by His Majesty's Servants at the Theatre-Royal., London: printed by T. H. for R. Wellington […] , published 1710, act I, scene i, page 7:
   • But in endeavouring to pass down a by-turning which seemed more free from the obstruction of the crowd, there was a sudden rush of a mob of persons eager to catch a sight of some celebrated personage who was passing in the adjoining street in his carriage, […] 1850, Charles Rowcroft, chapter XXXV, in Fanny the Little Milliner; or, The Rich and the Poor, London: George Routledge and Co., page 155:

Forms