pas´sive|ness

pas|sive «PAS ihv», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. not acting in return; being acted on without itself acting: »

a passive mind, a passive disposition.

SYNONYM(S): impassive.

2. not resisting; yielding or submitting to the will of another: »

The slaves gave passive obedience to their master. It would not be a passive condition, but eminently constructive (London Times).

SYNONYM(S): submissive, unresisting, patient.

3. Grammar. a) showing the subject as acted upon. In “The window was broken by John,” was broken is in the passive voice. b) having to do with the passive voice.

4. not readily entering into chemical combination; inert; inactive.

5. used to reflect but not amplify energy pulses: »

a passive radar, a passive lunar seismograph.

6. of or having to do with an infection or other abnormal condition of the body, as of an organ in the body, that causes reduced vitality and imperfect muscular reaction.

7. (of a note, bond, share of stock, or the like) not bearing interest, but entitling the holder to some future benefit or claim.

8. (of a nuclear reactor) using natural forces such as gravity and evaporation of water in its safety systems.

–n.

1. = passive voice. (Cf. ↑passive voice)Abbr: pass.

2. a verb form or verbal construction in the passive voice.

3. a person or thing that is passive.

╂[< Latin passīvus < patī to suffer]

–pas´sive|ly, adverb.

–pas´sive|ness, noun.