pass-through
UK[ˈpɑːs θruː]US[ˈpæs θruː]
n
A hole, opening, or conduit through which something can pass.
n
A device or mechanism that allows something to be transferred or transmitted from one place or system to another.
n
(Finance/Economics) A situation where a cost, such as a tax or an expense, is directly transferred to another party, typically a consumer.
Morpheme Breakdown
pass
through
pass
through
Etymology
The compound noun "pass-through" is a modern formation built from two fundamental English words of ancient lineage. "Pass" originates from the Latin "passus," meaning a step or pace, which evolved in Old French to signify the act of moving or proceeding. "Through" has deep Germanic roots, tracing back to Old English "þurh," conveying the sense of penetration or completion of a movement from one boundary to another. When combined, these elements create a transparent and logical meaning: a thing that allows movement or transfer to be completed from one point to another. This literal spatial concept was later extended metaphorically into financial and technical contexts to describe the direct transfer of costs or data.
Analysis
Structure: pass + through
- pass: From Old French 'passer', from Latin 'passus' ("step, pace"). Functional role: Verb root indicating movement or transfer.
- through: From Old English 'þurh', from Proto-Germanic 'thurh'. Functional role: Preposition/adverb indicating penetration from one side to the other.
Examples
The kitchen has a pass-through window to the dining room.
The new router acts as a pass-through for the internet signal without modifying it.
The tax is a pass-through expense that will ultimately be paid by the end customer.