passive

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Antonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations 1.5 External links 2 Italian 2.1 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

< French passif < Latin passivus (“‘serving to express the suffering of an action; in LL. literally capable of suffering or feeling’”) < pati (“‘to suffer’”), pp. passus; see patient.

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Adjective

passive (comparative more passive, superlative most passive)

1. Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
2. Taking no action.

   He remained passive during the protest.

3. (grammar) Being in the passive voice.

   The passive form of “A meteorite hit the earth” is “The earth was hit by a meteorite.”

4. (psychology) Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.
5. (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) (finance) Not bearing interest.
6. (finance) Not participating in management.

[edit] Antonyms

• active
• aggressive

[edit] Derived terms

• passive-aggressive
• passive voice

[edit] Related terms

• passion
• passionate
• passivity
• patience
• patient

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

passive (plural passives)

1. (uncountable, grammar) The passive voice of verbs.
2. (countable, grammar) A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• passive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• passive in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

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[edit] Italian

[edit] Adjective

passive pl.

1. Feminine form of passivo.