the world > space > relative position > quality of having sides or being a side > [adverb] > along the side or by the side (4)
By the side, by one's side. literal. Obsolete.
By the side; close by, near; = beside, adv. 1.
Along the sides. Obsolete. rare.
gen. Close by the side of a person or thing; side by side with something; parallel to something. Frequently with of.