Meaning of 'passive'

adjective

lacking in energy or will

Example: "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself- George Meredith"

Synonyms: inactive

adjective

expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb

Example: "academics seem to favor passive sentences"

adjective

peacefully resistant in response to injustice

Example: "passive resistance"

Synonyms: peaceful

noun

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

Example: "`The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice"

Synonyms: passive voice