What's the difference between by and over?

By


Definition:

  • (pref.) In the neighborhood of; near or next to; not far from; close to; along with; as, come and sit by me.
  • (pref.) On; along; in traversing. Compare 5.
  • (pref.) Near to, while passing; hence, from one to the other side of; past; as, to go by a church.
  • (pref.) Used in specifying adjacent dimensions; as, a cabin twenty feet by forty.
  • (pref.) Against.
  • (pref.) With, as means, way, process, etc.; through means of; with aid of; through; through the act or agency of; as, a city is destroyed by fire; profit is made by commerce; to take by force.
  • (adv.) Near; in the neighborhood; present; as, there was no person by at the time.
  • (adv.) Passing near; going past; past; beyond; as, the procession has gone by; a bird flew by.
  • (adv.) Aside; as, to lay by; to put by.
  • (a.) Out of the common path; aside; -- used in composition, giving the meaning of something aside, secondary, or incidental, or collateral matter, a thing private or avoiding notice; as, by-line, by-place, by-play, by-street. It was formerly more freely used in composition than it is now; as, by-business, by-concernment, by-design, by-interest, etc.

Example Sentences:

Over


Definition:

  • (prep.) Above, or higher than, in place or position, with the idea of covering; -- opposed to under; as, clouds are over our heads; the smoke rises over the city.
  • (prep.) Across; from side to side of; -- implying a passing or moving, either above the substance or thing, or on the surface of it; as, a dog leaps over a stream or a table.
  • (prep.) Upon the surface of, or the whole surface of; hither and thither upon; throughout the whole extent of; as, to wander over the earth; to walk over a field, or over a city.
  • (prep.) Above; -- implying superiority in excellence, dignity, condition, or value; as, the advantages which the Christian world has over the heathen.
  • (prep.) Above in authority or station; -- implying government, direction, care, attention, guard, responsibility, etc.; -- opposed to under.
  • (prep.) Across or during the time of; from beginning to end of; as, to keep anything over night; to keep corn over winter.
  • (prep.) Above the perpendicular height or length of, with an idea of measurement; as, the water, or the depth of water, was over his head, over his shoes.
  • (prep.) Beyond; in excess of; in addition to; more than; as, it cost over five dollars.
  • (prep.) Above, implying superiority after a contest; in spite of; notwithstanding; as, he triumphed over difficulties; the bill was passed over the veto.
  • (adv.) From one side to another; from side to side; across; crosswise; as, a board, or a tree, a foot over, i. e., a foot in diameter.
  • (adv.) From one person or place to another regarded as on the opposite side of a space or barrier; -- used with verbs of motion; as, to sail over to England; to hand over the money; to go over to the enemy.
  • (adv.) Also, with verbs of being: At, or on, the opposite side; as, the boat is over.
  • (adv.) From beginning to end; throughout the course, extent, or expanse of anything; as, to look over accounts, or a stock of goods; a dress covered over with jewels.
  • (adv.) From inside to outside, above or across the brim.
  • (adv.) Beyond a limit; hence, in excessive degree or quantity; superfluously; with repetition; as, to do the whole work over.
  • (adv.) In a manner to bring the under side to or towards the top; as, to turn (one's self) over; to roll a stone over; to turn over the leaves; to tip over a cart.
  • (adv.) At an end; beyond the limit of continuance; completed; finished.
  • (a.) Upper; covering; higher; superior; also, excessive; too much or too great; -- chiefly used in composition; as, overshoes, overcoat, over-garment, overlord, overwork, overhaste.
  • (n.) A certain number of balls (usually four) delivered successively from behind one wicket, after which the ball is bowled from behind the other wicket as many times, the fielders changing places.

Example Sentences: