Main Entry:

¹pass

Pronunciation:

\ˈpas\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French passer, from Vulgar Latin *passare, from Latin passus step — more at pace

Date:

13th century

intransitive verb1: move, proceed, go2 a: to go away : depart b: die —often used with on3 a: to move in a path so as to approach and continue beyond something : move past ; especially : to move past another vehicle going in the same direction b: to run the normal course —used of time or a period of time <the hours pass quickly>4 a: to go or make one's way through <allow no one to pass> b: to go uncensured, unchallenged, or seemingly unnoticed <let the remark pass>5: to go from one quality, state, or form to another <passes from a liquid to a gaseous state>6 a: to sit in inquest or judgment b (1): to render a decision, verdict, or opinion <the court passed on the legality of wiretapping> (2): to become legally rendered <judgment passed for the plaintiff>7: to go from the control, ownership, or possession of one person or group to that of another <the throne passed to the king's son> <title passes to the buyer upon payment in full>8 a: happen, occur b: to take place or be exchanged as or in a social, personal, or business interaction <words passed>9 a: to become approved by a legislature or body empowered to sanction or reject <the proposal passed> b: to undergo an inspection, test, or course of study successfully10 a: to serve as a medium of exchange b: to be accepted or regarded <drivel that passes for literature> c: to identify oneself or be identified as something one is not <tried to pass as an adult> <Mom could pass as my sister>11 aobsolete : to make a pass in fencing b: to throw or hit a ball or puck to a teammate —often used with off12 a (1): to decline to bid, double, or redouble in a card game (2): to withdraw from the current poker pot b: to let something go by without accepting or taking advantage of it —often used with on <passed on the cheesecake> <thanks for the offer, but I'll pass>transitive verb1: to go beyond: as a: surpass, exceed <passes all expectations> b: to advance or develop beyond c: to go past (one moving in the same direction) 2 a: to go by : proceed or extend beyond <pass the school on their way to work> b (1)obsolete : neglect, omit (2): to omit a regularly scheduled declaration and payment of (a dividend)3 a: to go across, over, or through : cross b: to live through (as an experience or peril) : undergo c: to go through (as a test) successfully4 a: to secure the approval of <the bill passed the Senate> b: to cause or permit to win approval or legal or official sanction <pass a law> c: to give approval or a passing grade to <pass the students>5 a: to let (as time or a period of time) go by especially while involved in a leisure activity <I'll read to pass the time> b: to let go unnoticed : overlook, disregard6 a: pledge b: to transfer the right to or property in <pass title to a house>7 a: to put in circulation <pass bad checks> b (1): to transfer or transmit from one to another <pass the salt> <passing the savings on to customers> (2): to relay or communicate (as information) to another c: to cause or enable to go : transport d: to throw or hit (a ball or puck) especially to a teammate8 a: to pronounce (as a sentence or opinion) especially judicially b: utter <passed a cutting remark>9 a: to cause or permit to go past or through a barrier b: to move or cause to move in a particular manner or direction <passed my hand over my face> <pass the rope through the loop> c: to cause to march or go by in order <pass the troops in review>10: to emit or discharge from a bodily part and especially the bowels11 a: to give a base on balls to b: to hit a ball past (an opponent) in a game (as tennis)

— pass·er noun

— pass muster

: to gain approval or acceptance

— pass the buck

: to shift a responsibility to someone else

— pass the hat

: to take up a collection for money

— pass the time of day

: to exchange greetings or engage in pleasant conversation