by-product
UK[ˈbaɪˌprɒdʌkt]US[ˈbaɪˌprɑːdʌkt]
n
Something produced in the process of making something else, often unexpectedly or as a secondary result.
n
A secondary or unintended consequence of an action or situation.
Morpheme Breakdown
by
product
by
secondary
product
thing produced
Etymology
The word 'byproduct' is a transparent compound formed within Modern English from the preposition 'by' and the noun 'product'. The term 'by' originates from Old English 'bī', meaning "near, at, during", and evolved to denote a secondary or incidental association. 'Product' stems from the Latin 'productus', the past participle of 'producere' meaning "to bring forth". The compound logic is direct: a 'by-product' is literally a secondary thing brought forth during the primary production process. This concrete industrial meaning later extended metaphorically to describe any unintended secondary outcome of an action.
Analysis
Structure: by (secondary) + product (thing produced)
by: Old English; a prefix meaning "secondary, incidental, or near".
product: Latin; a noun-forming element meaning "something produced or brought forth".
Examples
The chemical factory sells the sulfur as a valuable byproduct of its main refining process.
Increased stress was an unfortunate byproduct of the company's rapid expansion.
Molasses is a common byproduct of sugar production.