bears more than a passing resemblance

[enydia]

Dear teachers,

I've seen the following sentence in a dictionary:
She bears more than a passing resemblance to your sister.

I'm really wondering what's its meaning, especially the phrase 'bears more than a passing resemblance'.
How to understand this phrase?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards.

Enydia *^_^*

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by enydia

Dear teachers,

I've seen the following sentence in a dictionary:
She bears more than a passing resemblance to your sister.

I'm really wondering what's its meaning, especially the phrase 'bears more than a passing resemblance'.
How to understand this phrase?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards.

Enydia *^_^*

I can think of two possible derivations; the meaning is the same: She looks quite like your sister.

1. "She resembles your sister more than would be required for a passing grade."
If there was a test to look like your sister, if someone resembled your sister enough to pass, they would have a "passing resemblance". If they looked even more like you sister than required to pass, they would "bear more than a passing resemblance to her".

2. "She looks more like your sister than one would judge from a mere passing glance".

PS: I've always thought of it in terms of 2., but now I think 1. is right.