Lexic.us

Definition of By word of mouth

1. Adverb. Orally. "I heard it viva voce"

2. Adverb. By spoken rather than written means. "These stories were transmitted by word of mouth"

Lexicographical Neighbors of By Word Of Mouth

by the ears by the hour by the looks of things by the numbers by the piece by the same token by the skin of one's teeth by the time by the way by trade

by trial and error by turns by virtue of by walking by way of by word of mouth (current term) by your leave by your leaves byard byards

bybidder bybidders byblow byblows bycatch bycatches bycatching bycaught bycause bycoket

Literary usage of By word of mouth

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury by Thomas ( Hobbes (1841)
"Neither is it sufficient for him to say, as No. xv, that ' it was desired by me', long before that he had discovered his opinion by word of mouth. ..."

2. A Treatise on the Law of Evidence as Administered in England and Ireland by John Pitt Taylor (1887)
"The court may examine on oath, either by word of mouth or by written interrogatories, any person so brought before it concerning the debtor, his dealings or ..."

3. The Writings in Prose and Verse of Rudyard Kipling by Rudyard Kipling (1899)
"by word of mouth Not though you die to-night, O Sweet, and wail, A spectre at my door, Shall mortal Fear make Love immortal fail — I shall but love you more ..."

4. History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent by George Bancroft (1866)
"Maryland prescribed as its rule, that votes should be given by word of mouth; Virginia and New Jersey made no change in their former usage ..."

5. Original Letters Illustrative of English History: Including Numerous Royal by Henry Ellis (1846)
"The King, as well by word of mouth to the Pope's Legate, as by his letters, will answer the Pope's remonstrance. [Ms. COTTON. NERO A. VII. fol. 27 b. ..."

6. Roger of Wendover's Flowers of History: Comprising the History of England by Roger, Matthew Paris (1849)
"... and Richard de Barre, who will explain to you by word of mouth all that has happened, and all other matters that we wish to communicate. ..."

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