Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Incidentally; in the course of doing something else: Used to describe a remark or comment made briefly or as a secondary point while discussing another topic.

2. Noun:

   • (Chess): A special rule where a pawn that has just moved two squares forward from its starting position can be captured by an opponent's pawn that is positioned to capture it as if it had moved only one square forward. The capture is made on the square the moving pawn passed over.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • He mentioned the budget issue en passant during the meeting on marketing.
  • The author discusses the historical context en passant while focusing on the main narrative.

• Noun (Chess):

  • White moved the pawn from e2 to e4. Black's pawn on d4 can capture it en passant, moving to e3 and removing White's pawn.
  • You must declare the capture en passant immediately after the opponent's two-square pawn move, or the right is lost.

Advanced Usage

• Adverbial Use: Often used in formal or academic writing to introduce a supplementary point without deviating from the main argument.

  • The critic, en passant, noted the film's anachronisms, though her review centered on its direction.

• Nominal Use in Chess: The en passant capture is the only move in chess where the capturing piece moves to a square not occupied by the captured piece. It is a tactical nuance that can affect pawn structure and strategy.

Variants and Related Words

• In passing: A common English phrase synonymous with the adverbial use of en passant.
  • She noted in passing that the data was preliminary.

Synonyms

• Adverb: Incidentally, by the way, parenthetically, casually.
• Noun (Chess): (There is no direct single-word synonym; it is described as the "en passant rule" or "en passant capture".)

Related Phrases

• To capture en passant: The specific verb phrase used in chess.
  • Did you know you can capture en passant in that position?

Notes

• Etymology: Borrowed from French, meaning "in passing".
• Usage Note: As an adverb, it is typically set off by commas. In chess terminology, it is often not italicized in modern English usage.

Adverb

1. incidentally; in the course of doing something else
   • he made this remark in passing

Noun

1. (chess) a chess pawn that is moved two squares can be captured by an opponent's pawn commanding the square that was passed