† passantlyadv.
Obsolete.
1. Exceedingly, very greatly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly > surpassingly
passinga1382
passinglya1382
excellentlyc1460
overpassingc1475
passantlya1500
surpassing1598
superpassing1608
surpassingly1658
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 98 (MED) This kynght [read knyght] lovid passantly þe grehounde.
2. Cursorily, in passing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > [adverb] > in passing
by the way?1520
in passing by1598
passant1602
passantly1602
in passage1605
in the bygoing1637
obviously1658
by the by?1710
passingly1836
in passing1849
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 330 As before hath beene passantly touched here and there.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.a1500