Bye (bī), n. 1. A thing not directly aimed at; something which is a secondary object of regard; an object by the way, etc.; as in on or upon the bye, i. e., in passing; indirectly; by implication. [Obs. except in the phrase by the bye.]
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The Synod of Dort condemneth upon the bye even the discipline of the Church of England. Fuller.
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2. (Cricket) A run made upon a missed ball; as, to steal a bye. T. Hughes.
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3. In various sports in which the contestants are drawn in pairs, the position or turn of one left with no opponent in consequence of an odd number being engaged; as, to draw a bye in a round of a tennis tournament.
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4. (Golf) The hole or holes of a stipulated course remaining unplayed at the end of a match.
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By the bye, in passing; by way of digression; apropos to the matter in hand. [Written also by the by.]
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