By the by
Defined in 3 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
A condition existing when a defendant was in the custody of the court in another action.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Incidentally; without new process. A term used in former English practice to denote the method of filing a declaration against a defendant who was already in the custody of the court at the suit of a different plaintiff or of the same plaintiff in another cause.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
Incidentally; without new process. A term used in former English practice to denote the method of filinga declaration against a defendant who was already in the custody of the court at the suié of a different plaintiff or of the same plaintiff in another cause,