passage

views updated May 14 2018

pas·sage1 / ˈpasij/ • n. 1. the act or process of moving through, under, over, or past something on the way from one place to another: there were moorings for boats wanting passage through the lock. ∎  the act or process of moving forward: despite the passage of time she still loved him. ∎  the right to pass through somewhere: we obtained a permit for safe passage from the embassy. ∎  a journey or ticket for a journey by sea or air: he then booked passage home aboard a Spanish warship. ∎  Ornithol. (of a migrating bird) the action of passing through a place en route to its final destination: the species occurs regularly on passage | [as adj.] a passage migrant. ∎  Med. & Biol. the process of propagating microorganisms or cells in a series of host organisms or culture media, so as to maintain them or modify their virulence.2. a narrow way, typically having walls on either side, allowing access between buildings or to different rooms within a building; a passageway. ∎  a duct, vessel, or other channel in the body.3. the process of transition from one state to another: an allegory on the theme of the passage from ignorance to knowledge. ∎  the passing of a bill into law: a catalyst for the unrest was the passage of a privatization law.4. a short extract from a book or other printed material: he picked up the newspaper and read the passage again. ∎  a section of a piece of music: nothing obscures the outlines of an orchestral passage more than a drumroll on an unrelated note. ∎  an episode in a longer activity such as a sporting event: a neat passage of midfield play.• v. [tr.] Med. & Biol. subject (a strain of microorganisms or cells) to a passage: each recombinant virus was passaged nine times successively.PHRASES: passage of (or at) arms a fight or dispute.work one's passage work in return for a free place on a voyage: he worked his passage home as a steward.pas·sage2 • n. a movement performed in advanced dressage and classical riding, in which the horse executes a slow elevated trot, giving the impression of dancing.

passage

views updated May 18 2018

passage passage grave a prehistoric megalithic burial chamber of a type found chiefly in western Europe, with a passage leading to the exterior. Passage graves were originally covered by a mound, which in many cases has disappeared, and most date from the Neolithic period.
passage hawk a hawk caught for training while on migration, especially as an immature bird of less than twelve months.

See also purple passage.

passage

views updated May 18 2018

passage action of passing; way by which one passes XIII; event, act (surviving in p. of arms); part of a discourse or musical composition XVI. — (O)F. passage — Gallo-Rom. *passāticum, f. *passāre PASS2; see -AGE.

Passage

views updated May 23 2018

Passage

herons in flight (on passage); the migration or migratory flight of birds.

Examples : passage of herons, 1879; of migrating birds, 1774.

passage

views updated Jun 27 2018

passage. Section of a comp. which perhaps has no structural significance, e.g. a pizzicato passage, which may last only 2 bars. ‘Passage-work’ is often applied to brilliant display for the soloist.