1.
to cross one's mind, to flash through one's thoughts
For a thought, memory, or feeling to suddenly and briefly pass through one's mind.
不安が頭を過った。
Anxiety crossed my mind.
ふと昔の記憶が過った。
An old memory suddenly flashed through my mind.
最悪の事態が頭を過り、思わず身がすくんだ。
The worst-case scenario flashed through my mind, and I froze involuntarily.
2.
to pass by, to cross in front of
For something to move quickly across one's field of vision.
影が目の前を過った。
A shadow passed before my eyes.
鳥が窓の外を過った。
A bird flew past outside the window.
一瞬、何かが視界を過ったような気がした。
For a split second, I felt like something had crossed my field of vision.
TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞 (intransitive). Pattern: Xが（頭を）過る.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is much more common than sense 2 in modern Japanese. The typical pattern is 「頭を過る」 or 「脳裏を過る」. The subject is usually something abstract like a thought, memory, fear, or premonition.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 不安が頭を過る (anxiety crosses one's mind)
- 記憶が過る (a memory flashes by)
- 脳裏を過る (to flash through one's mind)
- 嫌な予感が過る (a bad feeling crosses one's mind)