passim

adverb

pas·​sim ˈpa-səm How to pronounce passim (audio)
ˈpa-ˌsim,
ˈpä- How to pronounce passim (audio)

Did you know?

Passim is from the Latin word passus ("scattered"), itself from pandere, meaning "to spread." Pandere is the root of the common word expand and the not-so-common word repand, meaning "having a slightly undulating margin" (as in "a repand leaf" or "a repand colony of bacteria"). It is also the progenitor of pace, as in "keep up a steady pace." Passim itself appears in English both on its own and as part of the adverb sic passim, which means "so throughout." Sic passim is typically used to indicate that a word or idea is to be found at various places throughout a book or a writer's work.

Examples of passim in a Sentence

the book belonged to my father, and his trenchant comments are found passim—both in the margins and between the lines of text

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from passus scattered, from past participle of pandere to spread — more at fathom

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of passim was in 1634

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near passim

Cite this Entry

“Passim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passim. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

passim

adverb
: in one place and another
used in citations of cases, articles, or books to indicate that something (as a word, phrase, or idea) is found at many places in the work cited
see Arango, 621 F.2d 1371, passim
Etymology

Latin, here and there

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!