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")
Overview of adj passive
The adj passive has 3 senses
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)
passive, peaceful -- (peacefully resistant in response to injustice; "passive resistance")
passive -- (expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb; "academics seem to favor passive sentences")
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