I. ˈpasiŋ, ˈpaas-, ˈpais-, ˈpȧs-, -sēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from gerund of passen to pass
1. : the act of one that passes or causes to pass
the passing of winter
the passing of a great man
the passing of a major bill
the passing of the million dollar mark
forward passing
2. : a means of passing or crossing : ford
3. : the act of identifying oneself or accepting identification as a white person — used of a person having some Negro ancestry
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- in passing
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from present participle of passen to pass
1. : going by : moving past
a passing youngster called up to him — Judson Philips
observe with bright-eyed interest the passing show of the squalid tenement in which they live — Time
2. : having a brief duration : quickly vanishing : fleeting , transitory
the passing vogues of the best sellers of the day — J.L.Lowes
passing interest
passing sensations
3. obsolete : exceeding , surpassing
a passing traitor, perjured and unjust — Shakespeare
4. : marked by haste, inattention, or inadequacy : cursory , superficial
a passing glance
a few passing remarks
has only a passing acquaintance with the subject
5.
a. : of, relating to, or used in or for the act or process of passing
a passing place
a passing track
b. : given on satisfactory completion of an examination or course of study
a passing grade
Synonyms: see transient
III. preposition
Etymology: Middle English, from passing (II)
archaic : beyond
IV. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from passing (II)
: to a surpassing degree : exceedingly , extremely , very
wildflowers or cacti that will prove passing strange to your eastern eyes — Jack Goodman
passing fair