Passage Meaning
Passage Definition & Usage
A narrow route, tunnel, or corridor that allows passage through a space or between places.
Examples
- "We finally found the hidden passage leading into the castle."
- "The hikers squeezed through a narrow passage in the rock face."
- "The secret passage was concealed behind a bookshelf in the old mansion."
- "She walked down the dark passage with only the sound of her footsteps for company."
- "There is a passage between the two buildings that we can use to avoid the main street."
A short portion of text or a segment of writing, often excerpted from a larger work.
Examples
- "The passage from the novel was deeply moving."
- "She quoted a passage from Shakespeare during the lecture."
- "This passage is often interpreted as a metaphor for the human condition."
- "The teacher asked us to analyze the passage from the poem."
- "He highlighted an important passage in the article to support his argument."
The process of moving from one state or stage to another, especially in terms of time or life cycle.
Examples
- "The passage of time has not dulled her memory of the events."
- "As we age, the passage from childhood to adulthood becomes more apparent."
- "The passage of seasons brings new challenges every year."
- "The passage from peace to war was swift and unexpected."
- "With the passage of years, the building had begun to show signs of wear."
Cultural Context
The word 'passage' has historical connotations of movement, journey, and transition. It comes from the Old French word 'passer,' meaning 'to pass.' In literature, it has been used to denote segments of text that are significant or contain deep meaning. Additionally, 'passage' is often invoked when referring to the metaphorical flow of time, personal growth, or societal change.
The Passage Through Time
Story
The Passage Through Time
In the old, crumbling castle at the edge of the forest, a young archaeologist named Lucy discovered a passage behind a thick wooden door. The musty smell and the silence of the corridor stretched ahead made her heart race with excitement and apprehension. She had heard rumors about hidden rooms and forgotten treasures, but nothing could prepare her for the passage that led beneath the castle, towards the unknown depths of its secrets. As Lucy crept along the stone passage, her thoughts drifted to the passage of time. The walls around her had witnessed centuries of history, some of it buried and forgotten, some of it slowly eroded by the years. She paused to take a deep breath, reminding herself that this passage was not only a journey through space but also a journey through history. Eventually, Lucy reached a small chamber where an ancient scroll lay on a pedestal. She read a passage from the scroll aloud, a poem that described the transformation of the castle’s founders through trials and loss. The passage spoke of a time when the castle was a symbol of power and prosperity, but it was also a reminder that everything is fleeting. The deeper Lucy ventured, the more she realized that this passage was not merely a physical route but a metaphor for her own life. She was facing the passage from curiosity to discovery, from doubt to certainty. As the passageway led her into the heart of the castle, she knew her life, like the passage of time, would never be the same again.