byrlaw (birl a)

[Also written burlaw, bir law, birelaw, in comp. even birley, barley, etc.: see by-law.] 1. A certain system of popular jurisprudence for formerly prevailing in northern England and Scotland. It is described by Sir John The blind by - sitter gue eth not What shadow haunts that vacant spot. Whittier, The Meeting. by-speech (bi'spēch), n. An incidental or casual speech not directly relating to the point: as, "to quote by -speeches," Hooker .