passive
has definitions from the fields of grammar,linguistics
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[ adjective ] lacking in energy or will
Synonyms Examples "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- George Meredith Used in print (Irving Stone, The Agony and the Ecstasy....)Jesus ' inert body would be passive , his eyes closed . (Guy Bolton, The Olympians....)To be passive , to be girlishly shy was palpably absurd . Related terms |
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[ adjective ] peacefully resistant in response to injustice
Synonyms Examples "passive resistance" Used in print (Bruce Palmer, "My Brother's Keeper", Many Are...)He had reached the three passive guards ; he crept in an incertain manner , patting the ground before him . Related terms |
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[ noun ] (grammar,linguistics) 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
Synonyms Examples "`The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice" "`The ball was thrown' is an abbreviated passive" Related terms |
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