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past

adjective (TIME BEFORE)
 
 
/pɑːst/ US  /pæst/

Definition

B1 [before noun] used to refer to a period of time before and until the present: The average temperature worldwide has risen by about one degree Fahrenheit in the past 100 years. I've been walking three miles a day for the past 30 years. He was the fifth climber to die on these mountains over the past two days. In centuries/years past (= many centuries/years ago) even visiting the next village was considered a long journey.In the past B1 [before noun] having happened or existed before now: I know from past experience that you can't judge someone by their appearance. The prime minister's family have been instructed not to discuss his past life with the press.In the past [after verb] finished: I'm feeling much better now that the cold weather is past.In the past
(Definition of past adjective (TIME BEFORE) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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