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Webster 1913 Edition

Passion

Pas′sion

,
Noun.
[F., fr. L.
passio
, fr.
pati
,
passus
, to suffer. See
Patient
.]
1.
A suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress (as, a cardiac
passion
); specifically, the suffering of Christ between the time of the last supper and his death, esp. in the garden upon the cross.
“The passions of this time.”
Wyclif (Rom. viii. 18).
To whom also he showed himself alive after his
passion
, by many infallible proofs.
Acts i. 3.
2.
The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition; – opposed to action.
A body at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and, when set in motion, it is rather a
passion
than an action in it.
Locke.
3.
Capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
[R.]
Moldable and not moldable, scissible and not scissible, and many other
passions
of matter.
Bacon.
4.
The state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of abnormal or controlling activity; an extreme or inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of being so affected;
as, to be in a
passion
; the
passions
of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.; a
passion
for war, or for drink; an orator should have
passion
as well as rhetorical skill.
“A passion fond even to idolatry.”
Macaulay.
“Her passion is to seek roses.”
Lady M. W. Montagu.
We also are men of like
passions
with you.
Acts xiv. 15.
The nature of the human mind can not be sufficiently understood, without considering the affections and
passions
, or those modifications or actions of the mind consequent upon the apprehension of certain objects or events in which the mind generally conceives good or evil.
Hutcheson.
The term
passion
, and its adverb
passionately
, often express a very strong predilection for any pursuit, or object of taste – a kind of enthusiastic fondness for anything.
Cogan.
The bravery of his grief did put me
Into a towering
passion
.
Shakespeare
The ruling
passion
, be it what it will,
The ruling
passion
conquers reason still.
Pope.
Who walked in every path of human life,
Felt every
passion
.
Akenside.
When statesmen are ruled by faction and interest, they can have no
passion
for the glory of their country.
Addison.
5.
Disorder of the mind; madness.
[Obs.]
Shak.
6.
Passion week. See
Passion week
, below.
R. of Gl.
Passion flower
(Bot.)
,
any flower or plant of the genus
Passiflora
; – so named from a fancied resemblance of parts of the flower to the instruments of the crucifixion of Christ.
☞ The flowers are showy, and the fruit is sometimes highly esteemed (see
Granadilla
, and
Maypop
). The roots and leaves are generally more or less noxious, and are used in medicine. The plants are mostly tendril climbers, and are commonest in the warmer parts of America, though a few species are Asiatic or Australian.
Passion music
(Mus.)
,
originally, music set to the gospel narrative of the passion of our Lord; after the Reformation, a kind of oratorio, with narrative, chorals, airs, and choruses, having for its theme the passion and crucifixion of Christ.
–
Passion play
,
a mystery play, in which the scenes connected with the passion of our Savior are represented dramatically.
–
Passion Sunday
(Eccl.)
,
the fifth Sunday in Lent, or the second before Easter.
–
Passion Week
,
the last week but one in Lent, or the second week preceding Easter.
“The name of Passion week is frequently, but improperly, applied to Holy Week.”
Shipley.
Syn. –
Passion
,
Feeling
,
Emotion
.
When any feeling or emotion completely masters the mind, we call it a passion; as, a passion for music, dress, etc.; especially is anger (when thus extreme) called passion. The mind, in such cases, is considered as having lost its self-control, and become the passive instrument of the feeling in question.

Pas′sion

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Passioned
;
p. pr & vb. n.
Passioning
.]
To give a passionate character to.
[R.]
Keats.

Pas′sion

,
Verb.
I.
To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
[Obs.]
“Dumbly she passions, frantically she doteth.”
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition

Passion

PAS'SION

,
Noun.
[L. passio, from patior, to suffer.]
1.
The impression or effect of an external agent upon a body; that which is suffered or received.
A body at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and when set in motion, it is rather a passion than an action in it.
2.
Susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
The differences of moldable and not moldable, &c., and many other passions of matter, are plebeian notions. [Little used.]
3.
Suffering; emphatically, the last suffering of the Savior.
To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs. Acts 1.
4.
The feeling of the mind, or the sensible effect of impression; excitement, perturbation or agitation of mind; as desire, fear, hope,joy, grief,love, hatred. The eloquence of the orator is employed to move the passions.
5.
Violent agitation or excitement of mind, particularly such as is occasioned by an offense, injury or insult; hence, violent anger.
6.
Zeal; ardor; vehement desire.
When statesmen are ruled by faction and interest, they can have no passion for the glory of their country.
7.
Love.
He owned his passion for Amestris.
8.
Eager desire; as a violent passion for fine clothes.

PAS'SION

,
Verb.
I.
To be extremely agitated. [Not used.]

Definition 2024

Passion

Passion

See also: passion

English

Noun

Passion

  1. plural of Passion flower

German

Etymology

From Latin passio, and partly from French passion.

Noun

Passion f ‎(genitive Passion, plural Passionen)

  1. (fervor) passion
  2. (Christianity) Passion

Synonyms

Derived terms

  • (fervor): passioniert
  • (Christianity): Passionsevangelium, Passionsdarstellung, Passionsgeschichte, Passionsspiel, Passionszeit

Related terms

passion

passion

See also: Passion

English

Noun

passion ‎(countable and uncountable, plural passions)

  1. Any great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or hate.
    We share a passion for books.
    • 2011 January 16, Saj Chowdhury, “Sunderland 1 - 1 Newcastle”, in BBC:
      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.
  2. Fervor, determination.
  3. An object of passionate or romantic love or strong romantic interest.
    It started as a hobby, but now my motorbike collection has become my passion.
  4. sexual intercourse, especially when very emotional
    We shared a night of passion.
  5. (Christianity, usually capitalized) The suffering of Jesus leading up to and during his crucifixion.
  6. A play, musical composition or display meant to commemorate the suffering of Jesus.
  7. (obsolete) Suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress.
    a cardiac passion
    • Wyclif Bible (Rom. viii. 18)
      the passions of this time
  8. (obsolete) The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition; opposed to action.
    • John Locke
      A body at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and, when set is motion, it is rather a passion than an action in it.
  9. (obsolete) Capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
    • Francis Bacon
      mouldable and not mouldable, scissible and not scissible, and many other passions of matter
  10. (obsolete) An innate quality, property, or attribute of a thing.
    […] to obtain the knowledge of some passion of the circle. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
  11. (obsolete) Disorder of the mind; madness.
    He will again be well: if much you note him,
    You shall offend him and extend his passion:
    • Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Act III, Scene 4.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Verb

passion ‎(third-person singular simple present passions, present participle passioning, simple past and past participle passioned)

  1. (obsolete) To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
    • Shakespeare
      Dumbly she passions, frantically she doteth.
  2. (transitive) To give a passionate character to.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Keats to this entry?)

References

Finnish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈpɑsːion/
  • Hyphenation: pas‧si‧on

Noun

passion

  1. Genitive singular form of passio.

French

Etymology

Borrowing from Latin passiō, ultimately from patior. Cognate with patience.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pasjɔ̃/

Noun

passion f ‎(plural passions)

  1. (countable and uncountable) passion

Middle English

Etymology

From Old English passio, passion ‎(“Christ's passion”), from Latin passio ‎(“suffering”), noun of action from perfect passive participle passus ‎(“suffered”), from deponent verb pati ‎(“suffer”).

Noun

passion (plural passions)

  1. passion, that which must be endured, suffering, pain; asf
    • Þe uerþe article belongeþ to his passion. — Ayenbite of Inwyt, c1340
    • Hij þat hated þe gloried hem in-myddes of þy passion. — Midland Prose Psalter, c1350
    • The passions of this tyme ben not euene worthi to the glorie to comynge. — Romans 8:18, Wycliffite Bible, c1384
    • He that felyth payne and passion Desyrith sore aftir alleggeaunce. — Life of Our Lady, c1450
    • Þer was ane vsurar þat lay in passions of dead. — Alphabet of Tales, c1450

Middle French

Noun

passion f (plural passions)

  1. passion

Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Latin passio ‎(“suffering”), noun of action from perfect passive participle passus ‎(“suffered”), from deponent verb pati ‎(“suffer”).

Noun

passion f ‎(nominative plural passione)

  1. passion of Christ
    • ðaet Eghwilc messepriost gesinge fore Osuulfes sawle twa messan, twa fore Beornðryðe sawle; and aeghwilc diacon arede twa passione fore his sawle, twa for hire; — that Every mass-priest recites for Oswulf's soul two masses, two for Beornthryth's soul; and every deacon reads two passions for his soul. - Oswulf's Charters, c805

References

  • 1916, John R. Clark, "A Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary for the Use of Students", passion
  • Bosworth, J. (2010, March 21). An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary Online (T. N. Toller & Others, Eds.), passio

Old French

Noun

passion f ‎(oblique plural passions, nominative singular passion, nominative plural passions)

  1. passion (suffering)
    1. (specifically, Christianity) the ordeal endured by Jesus in order to absolve humanity of sin

References

Etymology

From Old French passion, from Latin passio ‎(“suffering”), noun of action from perfect passive participle passus ‎(“suffered”), from deponent verb patior ‎(“I suffer”), from Proto-Indo-European *pe(i)- ‎(“to hurt”), see also Old English feond ‎(“devil, enemy”), Gothic 𐍆𐌰𐌹𐌰𐌽 ‎(faian, “to blame”).

Pronunciation

  • enPR: păsh'ən, IPA(key): /ˈpæʃən/
  • (US) IPA(key): [ˈpʰæʃən]
  • Rhymes: -æʃən

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