thereby

From Middle English therby, from Old English ðǣrbig, equivalent to there +‎ by. Compare the parallel formation of German dabei.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ðɛɹˈbaɪ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ðɛəˈbaɪ/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aɪ

thereby (not comparable)

1. (formal) By it; by that; by that means, or as a consequence of that.

   I enrolled in Old English classes and thereby learned a lot about Germanic languages.

   • 1729, [Jonathan Swift], A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burthen to Their Parents, or the Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Publick, Dublin: […] S[arah] Harding, […], →OCLC, pages 11–12:

     Thirdly, Whereas the Maintenance of an hundred thouſand Children, from two Years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at leſs than Ten Shillings a piece per Annum, the Nation's ſtock will be thereby encreaſed fifty thouſand pounds per Annum, beſides the profit of a new Diſh, introduced to the Tables of all Gentlemen of Fortune in the Kingdom, who have any refinement in Taſte, and the Money will circulate among our ſelves, the Goods being entirely of our own Growth and Manufacture.

   • 1787, United States Constitution, Article VI, (Please provide the book title or journal name):

     This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

• therefore, eo ipso