passman

A student is honored as a passman at the graduation ceremony.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A university graduate of the second class: "passman" refers to a student who graduates with a pass degree (as opposed to honours) at a university, particularly in historical British contexts. This indicates a level of achievement below that of an honours degree.

Usage Examples

• (A graduate with a standard pass degree.)
• (A student who completed a pass degree.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a passman": to hold a pass degree from a university.
  • In the old system, a passman could still pursue a career in law or the clergy. (A graduate with a second-class degree.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pass degree (n): a university degree awarded without honours, typically requiring a lower standard of work.

  • She received a pass degree in history. (A non-honours degree.)

• Pass (n): a successful completion of an examination or course without distinction.

  • He achieved a pass in all his final exams. (A satisfactory result.)

Synonyms

• Second-class graduate: a graduate who did not achieve honours.
• Ordinary degree holder: someone with a standard, non-honours degree.

Related Idioms

• To get a pass: to succeed in an exam or course without distinction.
  • He was happy just to get a pass in mathematics. (To achieve a minimum passing grade.)

Note: The term "passman" is largely historical and not commonly used in modern academic contexts, where "pass degree" or "ordinary degree" is more typical.