Main entry: passive, passive voice
Definition: 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
Usage: `The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice; `The ball was thrown' is an abbreviated passive
Antonyms: active, active voice
Definition: the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb