What does the word passive mean?
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Same etymon as Passion. An epithet for diseases which seem owing to a greater or less diminution of the strength, or which are without apparent reaction. Thus, passive hemorrhages are such as supervene in debilitated individuals, or under conditions in which increased action of the arteries can scarcely be presumed. The term passive has, also, been given to aneurisms of the heart with extenuation of the parietes; in opposition to active aneurisms, with thickness of the parietes- hypertrophy.
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Not active nor manifesting itself by action, as P. electricity; not spontaneous, self-originated, nor arising from inherent energy, but produced by impulses communicated from without, as P. motion, P. congestion( i. e., congestion produced by mere mechanical obstruction or dead weight, and not by activity of flow). P. interval, the period of rest during which neither the auricle nor ventricle of the heart is contracting; lasting from the beginning of the second sound to about 0. 1 second before the first sound.
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Not active, submissive.
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Quiet; unresisting; inactive.
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Usage examples for passive
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When will you understand, that this " philosophy" is only the passive of a religious faith? – The Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith by George Meredith
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The rough man let the passive head sink softly down again. – A Millionaire of Rough-and-Ready by Bret Harte
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Nor was their refusal merely passive. – Naples Past and Present by Arthur H. Norway
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