pass definition

1. An opening, road, or track, available for passing; especially, one through or over some dangerous or otherwise impracticable barrier; a passageway; a defile; a ford; as, a mountain pass. ""Try not the pass!" the old man said." (Longfellow)

2. A thrust or push; an attempt to stab or strike an adversary.

3. A movement of the hand over or along anything; the manipulation of a mesmerist.

4. A single passage of a bar, rail, sheet, etc, between the rolls.

5. State of things; condition; predicament. "Have his daughters brought him to this pass." (Shak) "Matters have been brought to this pass." (South)

6. Permission or license to pass, or to go and come; a psssport; a ticket permitting free transit or admission; as, a railroad or theater pass; a military pass. "A ship sailing under the flag and pass of an enemy." (Kent)

7. A thrust; a sally of wit.

8. Estimation; character. "Common speech gives him a worthy pass." (Shak)

9. [Cf. Passus] A part; a division. Pass boat, a wooden or metallic box, used to carry cartridges from the service magazine to the piece. Pass check, a ticket of admission to a place of entertainment, or of readmission for one who goes away in expectation of returning.

Origin: Cf. F. Pas (for sense 1), and passe, fr. Passer to pass. See Pass.

(01 Mar 1998)