Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAS'SION, n. [L. passio, from patior, to suffer.]

1. The impression or effect of an external agent upon a body; that which is suffered or received. A body at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and when set in motion, it is rather a passion than an action in it. – Locke.
2. Susceptibility of impressions from external agents. The differences of moldable and not moldable, &c., and many other passions of matter, are plebeian notions. [Little used.] – Bacon.
3. Suffering; emphatically, the last suffering of the Savior. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs. – Acts i.
4. The feeling of the mind, or the sensible effect of impression; excitement, perturbation or agitation of mind; as desire, fear, hope, joy, grief, love, hatred. The eloquence of the orator is employed to move the passions.
5. Violent agitation or excitement of mind, particularly such as is occasioned by an offense, injury or insult; hence, violent anger. – Watts.
6. Zeal; ardor; vehement desire. When statesmen are ruled by faction and interest, they can have no passion for the glory of their country. – Addison.
7. Love. He owned his passion for Amestris. – Rowe.
8. Eager desire; as, a violent passion for fine clothes. – Swift.