past (adj.) Copy link Outline I. In gen. sense, gone byII. Immediately preceding • past (adj.): I. In gen. sense, gone by: praetĕrĭtus: p. time, pr. tempus, Cic. Sen. 19, 68: also as p. part.: when the pleasantness of spring-time is p., p. verni temporis suavitate, Cic. Sen. 19, 70: also in gram., the p. tense, pr. tempus. Quint. 1, 4, fin. Oft. used elliptically, the p.: v. foll. art. (N.B.--Not exactus nor finitus, as adj., though they may be used participially: cf. Virg. G. 390.) II. Immediately preceding: proxĭmus, sŭpĕrior: v. preceding, former.