definition of
passive

[1] #1 passive a. [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. wn

[2] #2 passive s. [peaceful] peacefully resistant in response to injustice; "passive resistance". wn

[3] #3 passive n. [passive voice] 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". wn

[4] #4 passive a. expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb; "academics seem to favor passive sentences". wn