passing

the word "passing" is formed from the verb "pass" and the suffix "-ing". the verb "pass" entered english from old french "passer", which itself derives from latin "passus", meaning "a step" or "pace". this latin term originated from the verb "pandere", meaning "to stretch out", reflecting the physical act of taking a stride. the suffix "-ing" is a native english element used to create present participles and gerunds, indicating an ongoing action or a state resulting from an action. therefore, "passing" literally denotes "the act of stepping or going by", which evolved to encompass the concepts of transient movement, brief duration, and, metaphorically, the transition of life to death.

Structure: pass (to go by) + ing (adjective/noun suffix) pass (from old french 'passer', from latin 'passus', meaning "a step, pace", from the verb 'pandere' meaning "to stretch, spread out". in this word, it functions as the verbal root.) + ing (from old english '-ende' and '-ing', a suffix used to form present participles and verbal nouns, indicating an action or state related to the verb.)