pass

pass · verb¹

1. Proto-Indo-European*peth₂-
2. Proto-Italic*pattus
3. Latinpassus
4. Vulgar Latin*passāre
5. Old Frenchpasser
6. Middle Englishpassen
7. English todaypass

From Middle English passen, from Old French passer (“to step, walk, pass”), from Vulgar Latin *passāre (“step, walk, pass”), derived from Latin passus (“a step”), from Proto-Italic *pat-s-tus, from Proto-Indo-European *peth₂- (“to spread, stretch out”). Cognate with Old English fæþm (“armful, fathom”). More at fathom. Displaced native Old English genġan.

pass · noun²

1. Middle English · inherited frompas
2. English todaypass

From Middle English pas, pase, pace, from passen (“to pass”).

pass · noun³

Clipping of password.

Pass · proper noun⁴

1. Middle English · derived frompasse
2. Polish · derived frompas“belt, girdle”
3. English todayPass

* As an English surname, from a pet form of the medieval name Passe, itself probably a pet form of Pascal. * As a German surname, from the noun Pass (“pass, passageway”). * As a Jewish surname, from Polish pas (“belt, girdle”). * Also as an English surname, from Middle English passe, referring to passages. Compare Passage.

Words from the same roots