Păs'sage, n.

n. [Fr. passage, Pr. pasage, Sp. pasage, It. passaggio, L. Lat. passagium. See PASS.]

1. The act of passing; transit from one place to another; motion of any kind from point to point; movement across or by a point, through a way, or the like; a going by, over, or through; as, the passage of a man or a carriage; the passage of a ship or a fowl; the passage of light or a meteor; the passage of fluids through the pores of the body, or from the glands; clouds intercept the passage of solar rays; hence, specifically, (a.) Transit by means of conveyance; journey, as by water, carriage, car, or the like; travel; right or liberty of passing. “The ship in which he had taken passage.” Macaulay. (b.) Hence, price paid for the liberty to pass; fare. (c.) Removal from life; decease; departure; death. “Endure thy mortal passage.” Milton.
2. Way or course through or by which one passes; road; avenue of exit or entrance, or of traversing any thing.

And with his pointed dart Explores the nearest passage to his heart. Dryden.

3. Hence, specifically, a room used for giving access to other apartments in a building; a hall.
4. Way of happening, or being managed or brought about; separate part of the process or progress of events; event; any thing which has happened; incident; occurrence. “In thy passages of life.” Shak. “On consideration of the conduct and passage of affairs in former times.” Davies.
5. Reception; currency. “Among whom I expect this treatise will have a fairer passage than among those deeply imbued with other principles.” Digby.
6. Separate part or portion of something continuous; especially, part of a book or text; a clause, paragraph, or larger portion of an indefinite extent; an extract. “The most horrid, and almost incredible passage of their unbelief.” South. “He was pleased to use this passage.” Burnet.

How commentators each dark passage shun. Young. 7. The act of carrying through all the regular forms necessary to give validity; enactment; as, the passage of a law, or of a bill into a law, by a legislative body. His agency in procuring the passage of the stamp act was more than suspected. Hosack. 8. A pass or encounter; as, a passage at arms. Of passage, not permanently fixed; passing from one place to another; migratory;—said especially of birds which pass regularly from north to south, and the reverse, in fall and spring. Syn.—Vestibule; hall. See VESTIBULE.