Noun
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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"
- passive voice
Adjective
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expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb
"academics seem to favor passive sentences"
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peacefully resistant in response to injustice
"passive resistance"
-
lacking in energy or will
"Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- George Meredith