(2) Time.
But by this time the bell of Old Alloway began tolling.—B. Taylor
The angel came by night.—R. H. Stoddard.
(3) Agency or means.
Menippus knew which were the kings by their howling louder.—M. D. Conway.
At St. Helena, the first port made by the ship, he stopped. —Parton.
(4) Measure of excess, expressing the degree of difference.
At that time [the earth] was richer, by many a million of acres.—De Quincey.
He was taller by almost the breadth of my nail.—Swift.
(5) It is also used in oaths and adjurations.