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 • Syn: passive voice • Ant: active voice (for: passive voice) • Hypernyms: voice
II - adjective
1. lacking in energy or will (Freq. 5) - "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- George Meredith • Syn: inactive • Ant: active • Similar to: hands-off, resistless, supine, unresisting • Derivationally related forms: inactiveness (for: inactive), inactivity (for: inactive), passivity, passiveness • Attrubites: passivity, passiveness 2. peacefully resistant in response to injustice (Freq. 1) - passive resistance • Syn: peaceful • Similar to: nonviolent • Derivationally related forms: peacefulness (for: peaceful), passiveness 3. expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb - academics seem to favor passive sentences • Ant: active • Topics: grammar
