Arrive by 的意思

ANS.: 個人意見 Arrive by 15-12-2006 是 15/12 當日 或 之前到達 。

因為常用的 Arrive at / arrive in 是用於 特定一天 / 一刻到達的 意思。

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Arrive

ar·rive (ə-rīv') Pronunciation Key
intr.v. ar·rived, ar·riv·ing, ar·rives

To reach a destination.
To come at length; take place: The day of reckoning has arrived.
To achieve success or recognition: He had finally arrived as a designer.

Phrasal Verb(s):
arrive at
To reach through effort or a process: arrive at a decision after much thought.

[Middle English ariven, from Old French ariver, from Vulgar Latin *arrīpāre, to reach the shore : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin rīpa, shore.]

by (a certain date) 是指在最遲在（某日）
Your package will arrive by December 15 -- 你的包裹會在12月15日或之前抵達
Please mail your application by December 15 -- 請在12月15日或之前寄出你的申請表

by 也可用於年份，月份，星期或時間：
by 2007
by December
by Monday
by 4pm

You should know your results by the end of the week.
在星期未之前你會知道成績。

If you plan to attend the ceremony, please respond by Thursday, December 14.
如若你打算赴宴，請在12月14 日（星期四）或之前作出通知。

因為日子所連用的介詞是on，所以
arrive by December 15 也可以寫成為 arrive on or before December 15