Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Passive
1.
Not active, but acted upon; suffering or receiving impressions or influences;
as, they were
. passive
spectators, not actors in the sceneThe
Upbore their nimble tread.
passive
airUpbore 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; unreactive; 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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Passive
P`ASSIVE
,Adj.
1.
Suffering; not acting, receiving or capable of receiving impressions from external agents. We were passive spectators, not actors in the scene. The mind is wholly passive in the reception of all its simple ideas.
God is not in any respect passive.
2.
Unresisting; not opposing; receiving or suffering without resistance; as passive obedience; passive submission to the laws.Passive verb, in grammar, is a verb which expresses passion, or the effect of an action of some agent; as in L. doceor, I am taught; in English, she is loved and admired by her friends; he is assailed by slander.
Passive obedience, as used by writers on government, denotes not only quiet unresting submission to power, but implies the denial of the right of resistance, or the recognition of the duty to submit in all cases to the existing government.
Passive prayer, among mystic divines, is suspension of the activity of the soul or intellectual faculties, the soul remaining quiet and yielding only to the impulses of grace.
Passive commerce, trade in which the productions of a country are carried by foreigners in their own bottoms. [See Active commerce.]
Definition 2024
Passive
passive
passive
English
Adjective
passive (comparative more passive, superlative most passive)
| Examples (being in the passive voice) |
|---|
|
The passive form of “A meteorite hit the earth” is “The earth was hit by a meteorite.” |
- Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
- Taking no action.
- He remained passive during the protest.
- (grammar) Being in the passive voice.
- (psychology) Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.
- (finance) Not participating in management.
- (aviation) Without motive power.
- a passive balloon; a passive aeroplane; passive flight, such as gliding and soaring
Antonyms
Synonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
not active, but acted upon
|
taking no action
grammar: being in the passive voice
psychology: being inactive and receptive in a relationship
|
Noun
passive (plural passives)
- (uncountable, grammar) The passive voice of verbs.
- (countable, grammar) A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.
Translations
passive voice — see passive voice
form of verb
French
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /pa.siv/
Adjective
passive
- feminine singular of passif
Verb
passive
- first-person singular present indicative of passiver
- third-person singular present indicative of passiver
- first-person singular present subjunctive of passiver
- third-person singular present subjunctive of passiver
- second-person singular imperative of passiver