Definition of passive

• 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"
• lacking in energy or will; "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- George Meredith
• peacefully resistant in response to injustice; "passive resistance"