passive
[ pas-iv ]
/ ˈpæs ɪv /
adjective
noun Grammar.
the passive voice.
a passive form or construction.
Origin of passive
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin
passīvus literally, submissive, equivalent to
pass(us) (past participle of
patī to experience, undergo, submit) +
-īvus
-ive
OTHER WORDS FROM passive
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH passive
aggressive passiveWords nearby passive
Example sentences from the Web for passively
British Dictionary definitions for passively
passive
/ (ˈpæsɪv) /
adjective
noun
grammar
- the passive voice
- a passive verb
Derived forms of passive
passively, adverb passivity or passiveness, nounWord Origin for passive
C14: from Latin
passīvus susceptible of suffering, from
patī to undergo
Medical definitions for passively
passive
[ păs′ĭv ]
n.
Accepting or submitting without resistance or objection.
Of or being an inactive or submissive role in a relationship, especially a sexual relationship.
Chemically unreactive except under special or extreme conditions; inert.