Also 8–9 bye-stander. [f. BY- 2 a + STANDER.] One who is standing by; one who is present without taking part in what is going on; a passive spectator.
a. 1614. Donne, Βιαθανατος (1644), 137. Such an act, either in Executioner or by-stander, is no way justifiable.
1665. Manley, trans. Grotius’ Low-C. Wars, 439. The Gunpowder … being by chance fired, destroyed many of the by-standers.
1713. Swift, Salaman., Wks. 1755, III. II. 77. Then I’ll appeal to each by-stander, If this be not a Salamander?
1822. Imison, Sc. & Art, I. 269. A bye-stander will see nothing of the image.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 366. Bystanders whom His Majesty recognised.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 154. Let the bystander inform the rulers.
