—adj.
1 gone by in time and no longer existing (in past years; the time is past).
2 recently completed or gone by (the past month; for some time past).
3 relating to a former time (past president).
4 Gram. expressing a past action or state.
—n.
1 (prec. by the) a past time. b what has happened in past time (cannot undo the past).
2 a person's past life or career, esp. if discreditable (a man with a past).
3 a past tense or form.
—prep.
1 beyond in time or place (is past two o'clock; ran past the house).
2 beyond the range, duration, or compass of (past belief; past endurance).
—adv. so as to pass by (hurried past).
Phrases and idioms:
not put it past a person believe it possible of a person. past it colloq. incompetent or unusable through age. past master
1 a person who is especially adept or expert in an activity, subject, etc.
2 a person who has been a master in a guild, Freemason's lodge, etc. past perfect = PLUPERFECT.
Etymology: past part. of PASS(1) v.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.