BYLAW

bylaw

(noun) a rule adopted by an organization in order to regulate its own affairs and the behavior of its members

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

bylaw (plural bylaws)

A local custom or law of a settlement or district.

A rule made by a local authority to regulate its own affairs.

A law or rule governing the internal affairs of an organization (e.g, corporation or business).

Anagrams

• bawly

Source: Wiktionary

By"-law` (, n. Etym: [Cf.Sw.bylag, D.bylov, Icel.b, 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.]

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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition