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    passing

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    passing
    I
    pass‧ing1 /ˈpɑːsɪŋ $ ˈpæ-/ noun [uncountable]
     Word Family: noun: pass, overpass ≠ underpass, passage, passing; adjective: passing, passable ≠ impassable; verb: pass
    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]
     Word Family: noun: pass, overpass ≠ underpass, passage, passing; adjective: passing, passable ≠ impassable; verb: pass
    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.