Police were unable to find anyone by that name or description.
But if someone called her by name or description, she would react.
By his own description, he is "not a man of a soft hand."
Playing old, though she resented it at first, was second nature to someone who by her own description had never been young.
By his own description, he was a troublemaker from the start.
By his description, it remained unclear what happened this week.
"I know such creatures only by description, but the features seem to match."
They went by description, which is more lasting and accurate than names.
The buyer must contract to buy the goods by description.
None of the characters have been given names and are therefore referred to only by description.