en passant

American  

[ahn pa-sahnt, ahn pah-sahn] / ˌɑn pæˈsɑnt, ɑ̃ pɑˈsɑ̃ /

adverb

1. (italics) in passing; by the way.

2. Chess. (used when a pawn that has moved two squares is captured by an opponent's pawn commanding the square that was passed.)

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en passant British  

/ ɒn pæˈsɑːnt, ɑ̃ pasɑ̃ /

adverb

1. in passing: in chess, said of capturing a pawn that has made an initial move of two squares to its fourth rank, bypassing the square where an enemy pawn on its own fifth rank could capture it. The capture is made as if the captured pawn had moved one square instead of two

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Etymology

Origin of en passant

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

He neither relies on voiceovers nor films them obliquely à la Polanski, who gives us the poetry en passant.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2022

Have pretty women, attractive men, guests who are en passant, the flavor of another language.

From Slate • Nov. 6, 2013

Five minutes later Jane Haworth, as Prince Siegfried's mother, made a sweeping entrance down the aisle and, en passant, punted my drink into a handbag half a dozen rows in front.

From The Guardian • Jun. 15, 2013

After errors by both sides, declarer came out on top with the aid of a coup en passant at Trick 12.

From New York Times • Mar. 24, 2010

I may say here, en passant, that, with the exception of the two named, these men were a source not only of great unnecessary expense to the company, but of vexation and hindrance to William.

From Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives Don Pedro and the Detectives; Poisoner and the Detectives by Pinkerton, Allan