[f. BY 3 c, 5 + MATTER.] Something beside the main business; a side incident; a trivial, unimportant matter.
1552. T. Barnabe, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. No. 145, II. 197. Few men … was sente soe manye tymes to the Counsell privylye, for bye matters as I was.
1580. North, Plutarch, 286. His Accusers … running into other by-matters, left the chief matter.
1674. Consid. Peace & Goodw. Prot., 8. Dissenters and Scruplers in by-matters.
1685. Manton, Christ’s Tempt., vi. Wks. 1870, I. 314. Christ answereth to the main point, not to by-matters.
1755. in Johnson.
1852. Smith, Eng. & Fr. Dict., By-matter, incident.
