passing

Word family  noun pass overpass ≠ underpass passage passing adjective passing passable ≠ impassable verb pass

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Death

pass·ing1 /ˈpɑːsɪŋ $ ˈpæ-/ ●●○ noun [uncountable]  1  the passing of time/the years PASS/TIME PASSINGthe process of time going by 时间/岁月的流逝 Most of the old traditions have died out with the passing of time. 随着时间的推移，大多数古老传统都已消亡。 The passing of the years had done nothing to improve his temper. 岁月的流逝一点也没有让他的坏脾气有所好转。2  mention/note something in passing SAYif you say something in passing, you mention it while you are mainly talking about something else 〔在谈论别的事情时〕顺便说起某事，附带提及某事 He did mention his brother’s wife, but only in passing. 他确实提到了他的弟媳，但只是顺带而已。3  FINISH/COME TO AN ENDthe passing of something is the fact that it has ended 终止；消失 The old regime was defeated, and few people mourned its passing. 旧政权被打垮，几乎没有人对其消亡感到痛惜。4  MXDIEthe passing of a person is their death – use this when you want to avoid using the word ‘death’ 去世，过世〔委婉说法〕 Nothing could fill the gap in her life left by his passing. 他去世后什么都无法填补她生活的空虚。

Examples from the Corpus

passing• It may be difficult for the modern reader to grasp the emotional effect of his passing upon his people.• His passing leaves a sore gap in his family circle and in his wider circle of friends and acquaintances.• In passing, we can note that one proposal for spaceflight is to use the pressure of photons from the Sun.• They lost the game partly because of ineffective passing.• This resulted in the passing of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which introduces a strict liability regime for defective products.• Other parents equate education with the passing of examinations.• the passing of the Cold War• The passing of the Liverpool Corporation Act 1921 set the stage for inter-war policing.• Animals walked there, the vibration of their passing stirring Tallis from her earthly sleep.passing2 ●●○ adjective [only before noun]  1  PASS/GO PASTgoing past a place or person 经过的，通过的 Michael watched the passing cars. 迈克尔注视着来往的汽车。 A passing motorist stopped to help. 一位驾车经过的司机停下来帮忙。2  passing days/weeks/years etc literaryPASS/TIME PASSING the days, weeks, years etc that pass 流逝的一天天/一周周/一年年等 Her grief became less intense with the passing years. 随着光阴的流逝，她的悲伤不那么强烈了。 With each passing day she grew stronger. 她一天比一天强壮起来。3  SHORT TIMEa passing thought or feeling is short and not very serious 短暂的；一时的 He had only ever shown a passing interest in sport. 对于体育运动，他只是曾经表现出一时的兴趣。► see thesaurus at short4  a passing remark is one that you make while you are talking about something else 顺便提及的 He made only a passing reference to her achievements. 他仅仅顺便提了提她的成就。

Examples from the Corpus

passing• The malaise about a shared intellectual and literary culture was short-lived, the product of passing confrontation.• Whether this is just a passing fad or a lasting fashion trend, only time will tell.• passing fashions• a passing glance• Most people take only a passing interest in their horoscope.• After all, Levi admits to more than a passing interest in things financial, shall we say.• But only for one passing second.• At the time, I didn't give Alison so much as a passing thought -- I had other things on my mind.• Noise from the passing traffic could be heard from the backyard.• Bernard reversed straight out of the new garage into the road and hit a passing van.• Six-year-old Michael Smith and his parents were spotted by a passing yacht as they clung to a tiny buoyancy bag in darkness.passing interest• For all its emotional resonance, it was in my mind an issue of minor and passing interest.• Yet caddis larvae, who do precisely that, command only passing interest.• This was the brainchild of Martin and Hermon Bond, two farmers, who had more than a passing interest in golf.• Anyway, it does no harm for a politician to evince some passing interest in sport.• There were also rumours that newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell was showing more than a passing interest in Storehouse.• The backlash is awaited with interest by everyone, even those with only a passing interest in the music scene.• After all, Levi admits to more than a passing interest in things financial, shall we say.• As far as it goes, the film will be of passing interest to anybody acquainted with the myth.

pass·ing1 nounpassing2 adjectiveChineseSyllable  

time process going Corpus the by of

passing

I

pass‧ing¹ /ˈpɑːsɪŋ $ ˈpæ-/ noun [uncountable]1. the passing of time/the years the process of time going by:
    Most of the old traditions have died out with the passing of time.
    The passing of the years had done nothing to improve his temper.
2. mention/note something in passing if you say something in passing, you mention it while you are mainly talking about something else:
    He did mention his brother’s wife, but only in passing.
3. the passing of something is the fact that it has ended:
    The old regime was defeated, and few people mourned its passing.
4. the passing of a person is their death – use this when you want to avoid using the word ‘death’:
    Nothing could fill the gap in her life left by his passing.

II

passing² adjective [only before noun]1. going past a place or person:
    Michael watched the passing cars.
    A passing motorist stopped to help.
2. passing days/weeks/years etc literary the days, weeks, years etc that pass:
    Her grief became less intense with the passing years.
    With each passing day she grew stronger.
3. a passing thought or feeling is short and not very serious:
    He had only ever shown a passing interest in sport.
4. a passing remark is one that you make while you are talking about something else:
    He made only a passing reference to her achievements.