An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

BEWITH, s. A thing which is employed as a substitute for another, although it should not answer the end so well.
Ramsay.
One who arrives, when the regular dinner is eaten, is said to get "only a bewith for a dinner," S.

From the subst. v. conjoined with the prep., q. what one must submit to for a time.

To BEWRY, v. a. To pervert, to distort.
Douglas.

Teut. wroegh-en, torquere, angere.

BY, prep.
1. Beyond, S.
Pitscottie.
2. Besides, over and above.
Pitscottie.
3. Away from, without, without regard to, contrary to.
Wallace.

By, as thus used, is sometimes directly contrasted with be, as signifying by in the modern sense of the term. This may be viewed as an oblique sense of by as signifying beyond; perhaps in allusion to an arrow that flies wide from the mark.

4. In a way of distinction from, S.
Wallace.

BY, adv. When, after; q. by the time that.
Pitscottie.

This idiom is very ancient, Moes. G. Bi the galithun thai brothrjus is; When his brethren were gone up.

BY-HAND, adv. Over, S.
V. [Hand].