by-blow

[ bahy-bloh ]

noun

1. an incidental or accidental blow.
2. Also bye-blow. an illegitimate child; bastard.

by-blow

noun

1. a passing or incidental blow
2. an archaic word for a bastard

Word History and Origins

Origin of by-blow¹

First recorded in 1585–95; by- + blow ¹

Example Sentences

After Officer Delinko gave him a lift home, Curly had entertained his wife and mother-in-law with a blow- by-blow account of the exciting events.

From Literature

Farthingale was as well known in Riddsley as the Maypole; gossip had it that he was a by-blow of an old name.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time, the little by-blow at Leibgeber did not surprise him so much as her remarkable bodily repugnance and antipathy to him.

From Project Gutenberg

"To the father of the girl's by-blow," he shouted, when the glasses were charged; and then the company laughed till the roof rang, and above all was the shrill laugh of Thorkell Mylrea.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm a gentleman's by-blow, if you know what that is."

From Project Gutenberg