| Library / English Dictionary |
BY-AND-BY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
An indefinite time in the future
Example:
he'll get around to it in the sweet by-and-by
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Hypernyms ("by-and-by" is a kind of...):
future; futurity; hereafter; time to come (the time yet to come)
Context examples:
By-and-by he bound up my wound, and sent me downstairs to get a glass of wine for myself.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
There wasn't time to write and ask leave, but you all liked it, had consented to it by-and-by, and it was only 'taking time by the fetlock', as my wife says.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I feared to wake her all at once, so, in order to have my hands free that I might help her, I fastened the shawl at her throat with a big safety-pin; but I must have been clumsy in my anxiety and pinched or pricked her with it, for by-and-by, when her breathing became quieter, she put her hand to her throat again and moaned.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
By-and-by we shall take turns, for marriage, they say, halves one's rights and doubles one's duties.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
He reluctantly departs, but his wrongs weigh upon his spirit, and by-and-by when an opportunity comes to redress them, he outwits Mamma by a shrewd bargain.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
By-and-by, when you've got a name, you can afford to digress, and have philosophical and metaphysical people in your novels, said Amy, who took a strictly practical view of the subject.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
By-and-by I heard Fred's voice, and then he came hurrying through the great arch to find me.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The idea of having 'plans' and being kind to Laurie because he's rich and may marry us by-and-by!
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I understand, Mother, and quite agree, but I'm disappointed about Meg, for I'd planned to have her marry Teddy by-and-by and sit in the lap of luxury all her days.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I only thought Jo was encouraging you in a feeling which you'd be sorry for by-and-by.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
