beside

Definition

Next to; at the side of.

Etymology

From Middle English beside, besiden, bisyde (also besides > besides), from Old English be sīdan, bī sīdan (“by the side (of), on the side (of)”). Compare Saterland Frisian biesiede (“aside”), German Low German bisied (“aside”), German beiseite (“aside, to one side”). Compare also Dutch terzijde (“aside”). By surface analysis, be- + side.

Example Sentences

• "A small table beside the bed"
• "That is beside the point / beside the topic / beside the subject / beside the focus of this discussion."
• "For quotations using this term, see Citations:beside."