Pass v. i. [imp. & p. p. Passed p. pr. & vb. n. Passing.]
1. To go; to move; to proceed; to be moved or transferred from one point to another; to make a transit; -- usually with a following adverb or adverbal phrase defining the kind or manner of motion; as, to pass on, by, out, in, etc.; to pass swiftly, directly, smoothly, etc.; to pass to the rear, under the yoke, over the bridge, across the field, beyond the border, etc. “But now pass over [i. e., pass on].”
On high behests his angels to and fro
Passed frequent. --Milton.
Sweet sounds rose slowly through their mouths,
And from their bodies passed. --Coleridge.
2. To move or be transferred from one state or condition to another; to change possession, condition, or circumstances; to undergo transition; as, the business has passed into other hands.
Others, dissatisfied with what they have, . . . pass from just to unjust. --Sir W. Temple.
3. To move beyond the range of the senses or of knowledge; to pass away; hence, to disappear; to vanish; to depart; specifically, to depart from life; to die.
Disturb him not, let him pass paceably. --Shak.
Beauty is a charm, but soon the charm will pass. --Dryden.
The passing of the sweetest soul
That ever looked with human eyes. --Tennyson.
4. To move or to come into being or under notice; to come and go in consciousness; hence, to take place; to occur; to happen; to come; to occur progressively or in succession; to be present transitorily.
So death passed upon all men. --Rom. v. 12.
Our own consciousness of what passes within our own mind. --I. Watts.
5. To go by or glide by, as time; to elapse; to be spent; as, their vacation passed pleasantly.
Now the time is far passed. --Mark vi. 35
6. To go from one person to another; hence, to be given and taken freely; as, clipped coin will not pass; to obtain general acceptance; to be held or regarded; to circulate; to be current; -- followed by for before a word denoting value or estimation. “Let him pass for a man.”
False eloquence passeth only where true is not understood. --Felton.
This will not pass for a fault in him. --Atterbury.
7. To advance through all the steps or stages necessary to validity or effectiveness; to be carried through a body that has power to sanction or reject; to receive legislative sanction; to be enacted; as, the resolution passed; the bill passed both houses of Congress.
8. To go through any inspection or test successfully; to be approved or accepted; as, he attempted the examination, but did not expect to pass.
9. To be suffered to go on; to be tolerated; hence, to continue; to live along. “The play may pass.”
10. To go unheeded or neglected; to proceed without hindrance or opposition; as, we let this act pass.
11. To go beyond bounds; to surpass; to be in excess. [Obs.] “This passes, Master Ford.”
12. To take heed; to care. [Obs.]
As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not. --Shak.
13. To go through the intestines.
14. Law To be conveyed or transferred by will, deed, or other instrument of conveyance; as, an estate passes by a certain clause in a deed.
15. Fencing To make a lunge or pass; to thrust.
16. Card Playing To decline to play in one's turn; in euchre, to decline to make the trump.
She would not play, yet must not pass. --Prior.
To bring to pass, To come to pass. See under Bring, and Come.
To pass away, to disappear; to die; to vanish. “The heavens shall pass away.” --2 Pet. iii. 10. “I thought to pass away before, but yet alive I am.” --Tennyson.
To pass by, to go near and beyond a certain person or place; as, he passed by as we stood there.
To pass into, to change by a gradual transmission; to blend or unite with.
To pass on, to proceed.
To pass on or To pass upon. (a) To happen to; to come upon; to affect. “So death passed upon all men.” --Rom. v. 12. “Provided no indirect act pass upon our prayers to define them.” --Jer. Taylor. (b) To determine concerning; to give judgment or sentence upon. “We may not pass upon his life.” --Shak.
To pass off, to go away; to cease; to disappear; as, an agitation passes off.
To pass over, to go from one side or end to the other; to cross, as a river, road, or bridge.