/ ˈpæʃənət; NAmE / adjective
1.
having or showing strong feelings of sexual love or of anger, etc. :
to have a passionate nature
2.
having or showing strong feelings of enthusiasm for sth or belief in sth :
a passionate interest in music
a passionate defender of civil liberties
► pas·sion·ate·ly adverb :
He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately.
They are all passionately interested in environmental issues.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (also in the senses easily moved to passion and enraged ): from medieval Latin passionatus full of passion, from passio (chiefly a term in Christian theology), from Latin pati suffer.