[past] adj [ME, fr. pp. of passen to pass] (14c) 1 a: ago "12 years ~" b: just gone or elapsed "for the ~ few months"
2: having existed or taken place in a period before the present: bygone
3: of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of elapsed time and that in English is usu. formed by internal vowel change (as in sang) or by the addition of a suffix (as in laughed)
4: having served as a specified officer in an organization "~ president"
[2]past prep (14c) 1 a: beyond the age for or of "~ playing with dolls" b: after "half ~ two"
2. a: at the farther side of: beyond b: in a course or direction going close to and then beyond "drove ~ the house" 3 obs: more than
4: beyond the capacity, range, or sphere of "~ belief" [3]past n (1590) 1 a: time gone by b: something that happened or was done in the past "regret the ~"
2. a: the past tense of a language b: a verb form in the past tense
3: a past life, history, or course of action; esp: one that is kept secret -- past.less adj [4]past adv (1784): so as to reach and go beyond a point near at hand