by-talk

American  

[bahy-tawk] / ˈbaɪˌtɔk /

noun

1. incidental conversation; small talk; chitchat.

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Etymology

Origin of by-talk

First recorded in 1555–65; by- + talk

Example Sentences

"Be it so," replied Maxwell, whose suspicions, as Vernon had intended, were diverted by this by-talk.

From Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue by Ashton, Warren T.

Later, he had to attend a couple of board meetings, which ran off into protracted by-talk, and the rainy twilight had fallen before his office knew him again.

From Queed by Crosby, Raymond Moreau

Furthermore, they may see in his orations he wrote in certain causes to serve him when he pleaded: that he sought occasions in his by-talk to shew men that he was excellently well learned.

From The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to prose. Volume I (of X) - Greece by Halsey, Francis W. (Francis Whiting)

To this bit of by-talk the Commissioner and Martin had been paying a desultory attention as they sipped their tea.

From The Locusts' Years by Fee, Mary Helen