1. (

• passive_voice ,
• passive

) 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" ;

1. (

• passive ,
• inactive ,

) lacking in energy or will; "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- George Meredith ;

2. (

• passive ,
• peaceful

) peacefully resistant in response to injustice; "passive resistance" ;

3. (

• passive ,

) expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb; "academics seem to favor passive sentences" ;