PASSIVE, in general, denotes something that suffers the action of another, called an agent or active power. In grammar, the verb or word that expresses this passion is termed a passive verb: which, in the learned languages, has a peculiar termination; as amor, doceris, &c. in Latin; that is, an r is added to the actives amo, doces; and, in the Greek, the inflection is made by changing α into ου; as τελο τελομαι, &c. But, in the modern languages, the passive inflection is performed by means of auxiliary verbs, joined to the participle passive; as, "I am praised," in Latin laudor, and in Greek επαινομαι; or, "I am loved," in Latin amor, and in Greek φιλομαι. Thus it appears, that the auxiliary verb I am, serves to form the passives of English verbs: and the same holds of the French; as, Je suis loué, "I am praised;" J'ai été loué, "I have been praised," &c.
Passive Title, in Scots law. See LAW, Part III. No clxxx. 30.