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   pas·sive

   /ˈpasiv/

   adjective

   • 1. accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance: "the women were portrayed as passive victims" Similar submissiveacquiescentunresistingyieldingunassertivenonresistantcompliantcomplaisantpliantresignedobedientdociletractablemalleablepliablemeeksubdueddeferentialforbearinglong-sufferingpatientlamblikenonviolentsupinenonaggressivearchaic:resistlessOpposite activeassertive
   • 2. denoting or relating to a voice of verbs in which the subject undergoes the action of the verb (e.g., they were killed as opposed to he killed them).
   • 3. (of a circuit or device) containing no source of electromotive force: "a passive optical network is to be installed in 2000 homes"
   • ▪ (of radar or a satellite) receiving or reflecting radiation from a transmitter or target rather than generating its own signal: "passive sensors detect the emissions from enemy radar"
   • ▪ relating to or denoting heating systems that make use of incident sunlight as an energy source: "bananas can be grown at the highest altitude using passive solar heating alone"
   • 4. (of a metal) made unreactive by a thin inert surface layer of oxide.

   noun

   • 1. a passive form of a verb.
   • ▪ the passive voice.

   Word Origin late Middle English(in passive (sense 2 of the adjective), also in the sense ‘(exposed to) suffering, acted on by an external agency’): from Latin passivus, from pass- ‘suffered’, from the verb pati.

   Derivatives

   • 1. passiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • S

     1

   • S

     1

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › passivePassive Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › passive

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   The meaning of PASSIVE is acted upon by an external agency. How to use passive in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Passive.

3. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishPASSIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   If you describe someone as passive, you mean that they do not take action but instead let things happen to them. [disapproval] His passive attitude made things easier for me. Even passive acceptance of the regime was a kind of collaboration. Synonyms: submissive, resigned, compliant, receptive More Synonyms of passive.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPASSIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   describing a verb or sentence in which the subject is the person or thing to which something stated is done: In the sentence "I was given a gift by Alex," the verb "give" is passive, or in the passive voice. Note: In English, passive verbs or sentences are formed with a form of the verb "to be" and a past participle.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › passivePassive - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › passive

   Passive is the opposite of active. In English class, you might be advised to avoid the passive voice. In chemistry, a passive substance doesn't react. Passive resistance is a way to protest peacefully. When you're passive, you don't participate much and you're not very emotional.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › passivePASSIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › passive

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   Passive definition: not reacting visibly to something that might be expected to produce manifestations of an emotion or feeling.. See examples of PASSIVE used in a sentence.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishpassive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   adjective. /ˈpæsɪv/ accepting what happens or what people do without trying to change anything or oppose them. He played a passive role in the relationship. a passive observer of events. She wore a passive expression on her face as if she didn’t care what happened. Extra Examples. Oxford Collocations Dictionary. Want to learn more?

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › passivePassive - definition of passive by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › passive

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   adj. 1. Receiving or subjected to an action without responding or initiating an action in return: the mind viewed as a passive receptacle for sensory experience. 2. Accepting or submitting without objection or resistance; submissive: a passive acceptance of one's fate. 3.

9. www.oed.com › dictionary › passive_adjpassive, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › passive_adj

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   What does the word passive mean? There are 26 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word passive, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. passive has developed meanings and uses in subjects including.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryPASSIVE | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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    PASSIVE meaning: 1. letting things happen to you and not taking action: 2. A passive verb or sentence is one in…. Learn more.

11. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryPASSIVE - All you need to know about it | Collins English...

    www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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    Discover everything about the word "PASSIVE" in English: meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide.