The spelling of the word "pass upon" can be a bit tricky. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /pæs əˈpɒn/. The first two letters "pa" are pronounced like the word "pads" while the "ss" sounds like a longer "s" sound. The word "upon" is pronounced with the "u" sound like the word "put" and the "on" sounds like "awn". Overall, the correct pronunciation of "pass upon" is important as the meaning of the phrase can be misconstrued if not pronounced correctly.
The term "pass upon" is a phrasal verb that can be used in various contexts. It generally means to make a judgment, decision, or appraisal regarding something or someone. It involves carefully considering and evaluating a matter in order to form an opinion or reach a conclusion. In legal proceedings, it refers to the act of making a decision or pronouncing a judgment on a particular case or issue. In this context, a judge or a jury will pass upon the evidence presented and arguments made to decide guilt or innocence, liability or innocence, or other legal matters.
Additionally, "pass upon" may also refer to the act of reviewing or approving something. This could include analyzing a proposal, plan, or document to determine its adequacy, validity, or compliance with certain standards or criteria. For instance, a committee may pass upon a project proposal before granting funding, or a supervisor may pass upon an employee's performance evaluation.
Overall, "pass upon" involves carefully considering and making a decision, judgment, or appraisal about a particular matter, whether it be legal, evaluative, or otherwise. It signifies the act of critically assessing information or circumstances to reach a verdict, approval, or evaluation.
The phrase "pass upon" does not have a specific etymology on its own, as it is a combination of two separate words: "pass" and "upon".
The word "pass" comes from the Old French verb "passer", which itself originated from the Latin word "passare", meaning "to step, pass, or cross over". It entered the English language around the 13th century and retained its fundamental meaning of moving from one place to another.
The word "upon" has its roots in Old English, derived from the preposition "on" and the adverb "up". It has been used in the English language since the 12th century and generally denotes a close proximity or contact with something.
When these two words are combined, the phrase "pass upon" typically means to make a decision or judgement about something, to consider or examine, or to come across or encounter.