passion

passion [pash′ən]

n.

[OFr < LL(Ec) passio, a suffering, esp. that of Christ (< L passus, pp. of pati, to endure < IE base * pē-, to harm > Gr pēma, destruction, L paene, scarcely): transl. of Gr pathos: see PATHOS]

1.

a) Archaic suffering or agony, as of a martyr

b) Now Rare an account of this

2. [P-]

a) the sufferings of Jesus, beginning with his agony in the garden of Gethsemane and continuing to his death on the Cross

b) any of the Gospel narratives of Jesus' Passion and of accompanying events

c) an artistic work, as an oratorio or a play, based on these narratives

3.

a) any one of the emotions, as hate, grief, love, fear, joy, etc.

b) [pl.] all such emotions collectively

4. extreme, compelling emotion; intense emotional drive or excitement; specif.,

a) great anger; rage; fury

b) enthusiasm or fondness [a passion for music]

c) strong love or affection

d) sexual drive or desire; lust

5. the object of any strong desire or fondness

6. Obs. the condition of being acted upon, esp. by outside influences

SYN.- FEELING, PASSION usually implies a strong emotion that has an overpowering or compelling effect [his passions overcame his reason ]; FERVOR and ARDOR both imply emotion of burning intensity, FERVOR suggesting a constant glow of feeling [religious fervor], and ARDOR, a restless, flamelike emotion [the ardors of youth ]; ENTHUSIASM implies strongly favorable feelings for an object or cause and usually suggests eagerness in the pursuit of something [her enthusiasm for golf ]; ZEAL implies intense enthusiasm for an object or cause, usually as displayed in vigorous and untiring activity in its support [a zeal for reform ]