passe

¹

[ pahs ]

noun

, French.

1. the numbers 19 through 36 in roulette.

passé

²

[ pa-sey; French pah-sey ]

adjective

1. no longer fashionable, in wide use, etc.; out-of-date; outmoded:

   There were many photographs of passé fashions. I thought hand-cranked pencil sharpeners were passé.

   Synonyms: quaint, démodé, old-fashioned

2. past:

   time passé.

3. past the prime of one's life.

noun

, plural pas·sés [pa-, seyz, pah-, sey].

1. Ballet. a movement in which one leg passes behind or in front of the other.

passé

/ ˈpɑseɪ; pɑse; ˈpɑːseɪ /

adjective

1. out-of-date

   passé ideas

2. past the prime; faded

   a passé society beauty

Word History and Origins

Origin of passe¹

Literally, “passing, pass”

Origin of passe²

1765–75; < French, past participle of passer to pass

Word History and Origins

Origin of passe¹

C18: from French, past participle of passer to pass

Example Sentences

Shaving your head is passe and even tattoos are fading as a personalized cultural statement.

From The Daily Beast

This can be done still easier by using strips of passe-partout binding, or strips used for binding lantern slides.

From Project Gutenberg

Depuis l'arrive n'y eust mention que de festins, rcrations et passe-temps de diverses manires.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon yon heighte we now shalle stand to sighte ye as ye passe.

From Project Gutenberg

As far as can be gathered from recent research the passe-guard is a reinforcing piece for the right elbow, used for jousting.

From Project Gutenberg

"Perhaps I'd better not get out those passe-partouted Gibson pictures," began Nance a little doubtfully.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• corny
• obsolete
• odd
• outdated
• outmoded
• unfashionable