passion

plural passions

1. countableuncountableA true desire sustained or prolonged.

   An oil lamp burned upon a high, old-fashioned mantel, casting its dim rays over a dozen repulsive figures. All but one were men. The other was a woman of about thirty. Her face, marked by low passions and dissipation, might once have been lovely.

   1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 27

2. countableuncountableAny great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or extreme hate.

   We share a passion for books.

   1 more example

   That was partly because of a swirling wind that made precision passing difficult and also a derby atmosphere where the emphasis seemed to be on passion rather than football.

   2011 January 16, Saj Chowdhury, “Sunderland 1 – 1 Newcastle”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 07 Dec 2019

   Synonyms: fire

3. countableuncountableFervor, determination.

   I spoke with a burning passion.

   Synonyms: ardor, fire in the belly, zeal

4. countableuncountableAn object of passionate or romantic love or strong romantic interest.

   It started as a hobby, but now my motorbike collection has become my passion.

5. countableuncountableSexual intercourse, especially when very emotional.

   We shared a night of passion.

6. capitalizedcountableuncountableusuallyChristianityThe suffering of Jesus leading up to and during his crucifixion.

   1 more example

   Moreouer the perfit beleue of this article, worketh in all true chriſten people, aloue to continue in this vnitie, and afeare to be caſte out of the ſame, and it worketh in them that be ſinners and repentant, great comforte, and conſolacion, to obteine remiſſion of ſinne, by vertue of Chriſtes paſſion, and adminiſtracion of his ſacramentes at the miniſters handes, ordained for that purpoſe, [...]

   1543 June 7, Henry VIII of England, “The Nynthe Article. The Holy Catholike Churche.”, in A Necessary Doctrine and Erudicion for Any Chrysten Man, Set furth by the Kynges Maiestye of Englande, &c., imprinted at London: […] by Thomas Berthelet, […], →OCLC

7. countableuncountableA display, musical composition, or play meant to commemorate the suffering of Jesus.
8. countableobsoleteuncountableSuffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress.

   a cardiac passion

9. countableobsoleteuncountableThe state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition

   A Body at reſt affords us no Idea of any active Power to move; and when it is ſet in motion its ſelf, that Motion is rather a Paſſion, than an Action in it: [...]

   1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], “Of Power”, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC, book II, § 3, page 116

   Antonyms: action

10. countableobsoleteuncountableThe capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.

    The Differences of Impreſsible and Not Impreſsible; Figurable and Not Figurable; Mouldable and Not Mouldable; Sciſsile and Not Sciſsile; And many other Paſsions of Matter, are Plebeian Notions, applied vnto the Inſtruments and Vſes which Men ordinarily practiſe; [...]

    1631, Francis [Bacon], “IX. Century. [Experiment Solitary Touching Other Passions of Matter, and Characters of Bodies.]”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], 3rd edition, London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, paragraph 846, page 216

11. countableobsoleteuncountableAn innate attribute, property, or quality of a thing.

    [...] to obtain the knowledge of some passion of the circle.

12. countableobsoleteuncountableDisorder of the mind; madness.

    The fit is momentary, vpon a thought / He will againe be well. If much you note him / You ſhall offend him, and extend his Paſſion, / Feed, and regard him not.

    c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv], page 142, column 1

present singular third person passions · participle present passioning · participle past passioned · past passioned

1. obsoleteTo suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.

   Dumbly she passions, frantically she doteth.

   1593, [William Shakespeare], Venus and Adonis, London: […] Richard Field, […], →OCLC

   2 more examples

   There did I ſee that low ſpirited Swaine, [...] hight Coſtard, (Clow[ne]. O mee) ſorted and conſorted contrary to thy eſtabliſhed proclaymed Edict and continent Cannon; Which with, o with, but with this I paſſion to ſay wherewith: / Clo[wne]. With a Wench.

   c. 1595–1596 (date written), W. Shakespere [i.e., William Shakespeare], A Pleasant Conceited Comedie Called, Loues Labors Lost. […] (First Quarto), London: […] W[illiam] W[hite] for Cut[h]bert Burby, published 1598, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]

   she passioned To see herself escap'd from so sore ills

   1820, John Keats, “(please specify the poem)”, in Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems, London: […] [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: ache, grieve, hurt, ache, agonize, anguish, hurt, pain

2. transitiveTo give a passionate character to.

   Synonyms: impassion

1. ChristianityThe sufferings of Jesus Christ from the night of the Last Supper to the Crucifixion.

   Empty bread, empty mouths, combien réaction. Empty bread, empty mouths, talk about the Passion. Not everyone can carry the weight of the world. Not everyone can carry the weight of the world.

   1983 April 12, R.E.M., “Talk About The Passion”, in Murmur