By-stroke

But we do not suppose the House of Commons will quite surrender its authority to them on a point of such importance, or allow its intentions to be frustrated by a by-stroke of the Commissioners, without further inquiry.

Source: wiktionary

The text before us furnishes an example of the manner in which he is wont to convey this doctrine to the minds of his people, even where he is not immediately employed on it—by a by-stroke, as it were .

Source: wiktionary

Still, in doing this, he has not unfrequently found himself, as it were, wielding the sword in one hand, while grasping the trowel in the other—though strengthening his own position, and making that his aim, yet at the same time, by a kind of bystroke, rebutting an enemy's blow as well.

Source: wiktionary

These persons are selected, for a by-stroke of satire, as drunken and riotous paupers .

Source: wiktionary