Definition of the word pass out

The phrase "pass out" has multiple meanings based on the context in which it is used. One of its most common meanings is related to medical situations, and it refers to losing consciousness. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the term "pass out" emerged in the late 19th century, deriving from an earlier expression "pass away" that signified death. However, the medical use of "pass out" has a different etymology that predates its current definition. In the late 19th century, "pass out" was primarily used to describe the results of an examination or test. In this context, it meant "to finish or complete." However, over time, the phrase took on a new, negative connotation in the realm of medicine. Specifically, around the early 20th century, "pass out" came to describe fainting or losing consciousness suddenly due to various medical reasons, such as dehydration, low blood pressure, or prolonged standing. The expression reflects the idea that the individual is passing out of consciousness, much like passing out a test or passing out of a school. In other contexts, "pass out" has different meanings, including passing out of an event or party (leaving or departing), passing out flyers (distributing), or passing out of law school or university (graduating). However, outside of medical contexts, the phrase "pass out" typically refers to a voluntary action, as opposed to the involuntary loss of consciousness that characterizes its use in medicine.