late 14c., in grammatical sense (opposed to active), Old French passif "suffering, undergoing hardship" (14c.) and directly from Latin passivus "capable of feeling or suffering," from pass-, past participle stem of pati "to suffer" (see passion). Meaning "not active" is first recorded late 15c.; sense of "enduring suffering without resistance" is from 1620s. Related: Passively. Passive resistance first attested 1819 in Scott's "Ivanhoe," used throughout 19c.; re-coined by Gandhi c. 1906 in South Africa. Passive-aggressive with reference to behavior is attested by 1971.
双语例句
1. Even passive acceptance of the regime was a kind of collaboration.
即使被动接受该政权也是一种通敌行为。
来自柯林斯例句
2. She hates playing the sweet, passive women that audiences identify her with.
她讨厌扮演那些漂亮可爱、消极被动的女人，观众们已把她定型为这类角色。
来自柯林斯例句
3. He played a passive role in the relationship.
他在他们的关系中处于被动地位。
来自《权威词典》
4. In spite of my efforts the boy remained passive.
尽管我努力,那男孩还是不起劲.
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
5. We should translate this sentence in passive voice.
