verb

pass

To happen or take place.

We discuss what passes between the two rivals at the meeting.

Etymology

The older movement verb extends to events moving through time. Something that comes to pass enters experience or happens, rather than describing literal travel.

More examples

  • She told me everything that had passed.
  • A strange thing came to pass that evening.
  • He wondered what had passed during his absence.

Forms

pass · passes · passed · passing

Similar words

happen
The everyday alternative to this formal use.
occur
The neutral formal alternative to the literary happen sense.