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"動詞の主語が、その動詞が示す動作を(起こす側ではなく)受ける側であるときに使われる態受身形
例:`The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice ‘男の子によって投げられたボール’は受動態で使う
lacking in energy or will; "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- George Meredith行動力または意志が欠けている消極的
例:Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself- George Meredith 受動的な教団の多くの慈悲心が、自分自身に苦痛を与える嫌気に由来するかもしれない?ジョージ・メレディス
peacefully resistant in response to injustice; "passive resistance"不公平に対する穏やかな抵抗消極的