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bylaw

bylaw

27 5.3
A rule made by a group that tells members how to behave and run the group
  • noun
  • /ˈbaɪˌlɔ/
  • Formal
translation icon : estatuto
  • Well, according to the bylaws, that is highly illegal.
  • constitution and bylaws
  • bylaws govern
  • bylaws may be amended

And so they were having a discussion on how to get around their anti discrimination like bylaws.

Examples

  • The bylaw prohibits the use of fireworks during dry seasons to prevent fires.

  • According to the neighborhood's bylaw, all members must attend the monthly meetings.

  • Oh, it's written in the school bylaw.

  • The bylaw was the first of its kind and remains the only bylaw recognizing band control over child welfare.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The bylaws say we can stay.

  • - It's in the company bylaws.

  • Generally, independent school bylaws should follow a standard, accepted legal format and include all the important relevant information.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Mandatory board meeting tomorrow morning, the bylaws will be changed.

  • Bylaws say no meeting can adjourn if a member wants to speak his or her mind.

  • The vote to rescind the old and adopt the new bylaws will be at our meeting.

    Blog text (18)

Synonyms

rule
vsbylaw
1.0

An instruction or law that tells people what to do

is a specific regulation within an organization to govern members and management

Antonyms

79 6.5

A situation with no government and much disorder

How Permanent

standing order
  • Formal
4 4.2
bylaw
  • Formal
27 5.3
rule
1.0

Surface Forms

bylaw singular
bylaws plural

Morphology

bylaw = law (semi-transparent) = by + law

The parts 'by' and 'law' are visible, but the specific meaning 'an internal rule of an organization' is a specialized extension not directly predictable from general senses of 'by' and 'law'. [Postprocessing: moved 'by' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

The word bylaw comes from the old word by, which meant 'village' and appears in place names like Whitby, plus law, so it originally meant a rule for a town or local group. That's why today a bylaw is a rule made by an organization or community.