Definition of "passive"

passive

/ˈpæs.ɪv/

adjective
comparative more passive, superlative most passive
1. Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
2. Taking no action.
3. (grammar) Being in the passive voice.
4. (psychology) Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.
5. (finance) Not participating in management.
6. (aviation) Without motive power.
7. (electronics) Of a component: that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
8. (passive provision) Where allowance is made for a possible future event.
  Quotations
  There would be a shuttle service of four trains an hour from Reading, where the rebuilt station also has passive provision for the trains.
  2021 May 5, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Heathrow Western Rail Access scheme 'on hold'”, in RAIL, number 930, page 26
noun
plural passives
1. (grammar) The passive voice of verbs.
2. (grammar) A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.
3. (marketing) A customer who is satisfied with a product or service, but not keen enough to promote it by word of mouth.
  Quotations
  If you want to improve your organization's NPS, you need to follow up with your detractors, passives, and promoters to understand why they answered your question as they did and what you can do better in the future.
  2014, Roy Barnes, Bob Kelleher, Customer Experience For Dummies, page 266
4. (electronics) Any component that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
  Quotations
  Reductions In Both Size And Weight Offered By Integrated PassivesYou may not know it yet, but if you're like most consumers, you want integrated passives.
  2001, The Virginia Engineer, volume 50, page 20
  The components include active devices such as logic, memory, processors, etc.; passives such as capacitors, resistors, crystal oscillators, inductances, etc.; […]
  2010, Sridhar Canumalla, Puligandla Viswanadham, Portable Consumer Electronics: Packaging, Materials, and Reliability