preposition
1. : by the agency of : through the medium of
master workmen may receive instructions by way of drafts, models, frames — B.G.Gerbier
2. : as an instance or example of : for the purpose of
by way of illustration
3. : by the route that passes through : via
drove home by way of the mountains
4.
a. : in the habit of — used with a following gerund
was by way of being particular about his appearance — Cicely F. Smith
b. : in the state of — used with the following gerund
is by way of doing better work now than formerly