passive (redirected from passives)

passive /pas·sive/ (pas´iv) neither spontaneous nor active; not produced by active efforts.

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pas·sive (psv)

n.

1. Accepting or submitting without resistance or objection.

2. Of or being an inactive or submissive role in a relationship, especially a sexual relationship.

3. Chemically unreactive except under special or extreme conditions; inert.

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passive,

adj pertaining to patients who become mere spectators as they lack the energy or interest to participate.

Passion flower.

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passive,

n in orthodontics, an orthodontic appliance that has been adjusted to apply no effective tooth-moving force to the teeth. Also called
self-ligation, or
“frictionless.”

passive diffusion,

n an absorption process that occurs in the body when carbohydrates are more highly concentrated in the intestine than in the blood.

passive immunity,

n a form of acquired immunity resulting from antibodies that are transmitted naturally through the placenta to a fetus or through the colostrum to an infant or artificially by injection of antiserum for treatment or prophylaxis. Passive immunity is not permanent and does not last as long as active immunity.

passive reciprocation,

n See reciprocation, passive.

passive smoking,

n the inhalation by nonsmokers of the smoke from other people's cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. See also environmental tobacco smoke (ETS/passive smoke).

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passive

neither spontaneous on the part of the patient, nor active response by the patient, the stimulus having been applied externally.

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passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test

see passive cutaneous anaphylaxis.

passive diffusion

passage of electrolytes to all parts of a solution, including through a permeable membrane. Plays some part in intestinal absorption.

passive hemagglutination test

see hemagglutination test.

passive immunization

see passive immunization.

passive neonatal immunity

see passive immunity.

passive transfer

see passive diffusion (above).

passive venous congestion

noninflammatory distention of vessels with blood. Caused by simple accumulation resulting from obstruction or failure of the heart to eject the full volume of blood returned to it.