en passant
/ˌɑn pəˈsɑnt/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 2.06 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adv
adv
Of a capture of an enemy pawn, by moving one's pawn to the square that the enemy pawn has just passed over.
noun
A move in which a pawn captures an opposing pawn on the same rank immediately after the latter has moved forward two squares on its first move in the game, as if it had moved forward only one square.
Example Sentences
- "Turtle doves have long been celebrated for their fidelity; and this turtle dove, though he flirts, en paſſant, with a ſky-lark, a jay, and a quail, does not materially diſcredit the famed conſtancy of his ſpecies, theſe birds being all coquettes: but when he meets (as he fortunately does) with an amiable dove-mate, he is as faithful as any turtle, of any grove."
- "Mr. William Poole called in, and examined […] I spoke to sheriff Thorpe, en passant, one day in Sackville-street, saying, "I should wish to be on the next commission jury;" and he said, it should be so."
- "[H]e [the newly elected Pope] is placed on the altar, where all the cardinals, according to their rank, pay their reverence to him, and kiss his feet, hands, and mouth. I should observe, en passant, that cardinals only have the right to kiss the Pope's hand."
- "We merely suggest, en passant, that some of our best citizens might deem it a wonderful and beauteous thing if, in addition to paying the fine, Mr. Louden could serve for the loyal Happy his six months in the Bastile!"
- "[I]f the opponent chooses to make this capture, he must do it immediately on his next move – if he makes any other move on his next move, he forever loses the chance to capture that pawn en passant, though he still retains the right to capture another pawn en passant should a similar situation arise elsewhere."
- "Spectators are privy to awe inspiring castles, baffling forks, and breathtaking en passants."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌɑn pəˈsɑnt/
- British English: /ˌɒ̃ pæˈsɒ̃/