The correct answer is (A) A word or phrase associated with a particular person, idea, etc. a characteristic expression. Proverbial status accorded to some person, place etc. usually held in contempt (his drunken habits were a byword in the village). A word or phrase often used.

Examples of use:

• Helping the weak and poor was Sister's Teresa's byword.
  
  
• In some quarters, money seems to have become the byword for life's purpose.