PASSIVELY
passively
(adverb) in a passive manner; “he listened passively”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
passively (not comparable)
In a passive manner; without conscious or self-directed action.
In an acquiescent manner; resignedly or submissively.
(grammar) In the passive voice; having a passive construction.
Synonyms
• (in a passive manner): automatically, mindlessly
• (in an acquiescent manner): resignedly, submissively
Source: Wiktionary
Pas"sive*ly, adv.
1. In a passive manner; inertly; unresistingly.
2. As a passive verb; in the passive voice.
PASSIVE
Pas"sive, a. Etym: [L. passivus: cf. F. passif. See Passion.]
1. Not active, but acted upon; suffering or receiving impressions or
influences; as, they were passive spectators, not actors in the
scene.
The passive air Upbore their nimble tread. Milton.
The mind is wholly passive in the reception of all its simple ideas.
Locke.
2. Receiving or enduring without either active sympathy or active
resistance; without emotion or excitement; patient; not opposing;
unresisting; as, passive obedience; passive submission.
The best virtue, passive fortitude. Massinger.
3. (Chem.)
Definition: Inactive; inert; not showing strong affinity; as, red
phosphorus is comparatively passive.
4. (Med.)
Definition: Designating certain morbid conditions, as hemorrhage or dropsy,
characterized by relaxation of the vessels and tissues, with
deficient vitality and lack of reaction in the affected tissues.
Passive congestion (Med.), congestion due to obstruction to the
return of the blood from the affected part.
– Passive iron (Chem.), iron which has been subjected to the action
of heat, of strong nitric acid, chlorine, etc. It is then not easily
acted upon by acids.
– Passive movement (Med.), a movement of a part, in order to
exercise it, made without the assistance of the muscles which
ordinarily move the part.
– Passive obedience (as used by writers on government), obedience
or submission of the subject or citizen as a duty in all cases to the
existing government.
– Passive prayer, among mystic divines, a suspension of the
activity of the soul or intellectual faculties, the soul remaining
quiet, and yielding only to the impulses of grace.
– Passive verb, or Passive voice (Gram.), a verb, or form of a
verb, which expresses the effect of the action of some agent; as, in
Latin, doceor, I am taught; in English, she is loved; the picture is
admired by all; he is assailed by slander.
Syn.
– Inactive; inert; quiescent; unresisting; unopposing; suffering;
enduring; submissive; patient.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition