beside

Meanings

1. 1
   prep

   Next to; at the side of.

   A small table stood beside the bed.

2. 2
   prep

   Not connected with; away from the main subject.

   That argument is beside the point.

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.

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