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Definitions for: Passive
[n] the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb; "`The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice"; "`The ball was thrown' is an abbreviated passive"
[adj] lacking in energy or will; "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- George Meredith
[adj] (grammar) passive voice
[adj] peacefully resistant in response to injustice; "passive resistance"
Webster (1913) Definition: Pas"sive, a. [L. passivus: cf. F. passif. See
Passion.]
1. Not active, but acted upon; suffering or receiving
impressions or influences; as, they were passive
spectators, not actors in the scene.
The passive air Upbore their nimble tread. --Milton.
The mind is wholly passive in the reception of all
its simple ideas. --Locke.
2. Receiving or enduring without either active sympathy or
active resistance; without emotion or excitement; patient;
not opposing; unresisting; as, passive obedience; passive
submission.
The best virtue, passive fortitude. --Massinger.
3. (Chem.) Inactive; inert; not showing strong affinity; as,
red phosphorus is comparatively passive.
4. (Med.) Designating certain morbid conditions, as
hemorrhage or dropsy, characterized by relaxation of the
vessels and tissues, with deficient vitality and lack of
reaction in the affected tissues.
Passive congestion (Med.), congestion due to obstruction to
the return of the blood from the affected part.
Passive iron (Chem.), iron which has been subjected to the
action of heat, of strong nitric acid, chlorine, etc. It
is then not easily acted upon by acids.
Passive movement (Med.), a movement of a part, in order to
exercise it, made without the assistance of the muscles
which ordinarily move the part.
Passive obedience (as used by writers on government),
obedience or submission of the subject or citizen as a
duty in all cases to the existing government.
Passive prayer, among mystic divines, a suspension of the
activity of the soul or intellectual faculties, the soul
remaining quiet, and yielding only to the impulses of
grace.
Passive verb, or Passive voice (Gram.), a verb, or form
of a verb, which expresses the effect of the action of
some agent; as, in Latin, doceor, I am taught; in English,
she is loved; the picture is admired by all; he is
assailed by slander.
Syn: Inactive; inert; quiescent; unresisting; unopposing;
suffering; enduring; submissive; patient.
Synonyms: inactive, nonviolent, passive voice, peaceful, resistless, supine, unresisting
Antonyms: active, active, active voice
See Also: voice
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