a person or thing cited as a notorious and outstanding example or embodiment of something 代名词 his name became a byword for luxury. 他的名字成了奢侈的代名词。 ■a word or expression summarizing a thing's characteristics or a person's principles (某物特点或某人准则的)概括 ‘Small is beautiful’ may be the byword for most couturiers. “小即美”可能是绝大多数女式服装设计师的原则性概括。