PASSIVELY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does passively mean? 

• PASSIVELY (adverb)
  The adverb PASSIVELY has 1 sense:

1. in a passive manner

  Familiarity information: PASSIVELY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PASSIVELY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a passive manner

Context example:

he listened passively

Antonym:

actively (in an active manner)

Pertainym:

passive (lacking in energy or will)

 Context examples 

The tumor tissue may be passively targeted due to preferential deposition of emulsion particles while an emulsion formulation component inhibits the P-glycoprotein drug efflux pump.

(Paclitaxel Vitamin E-Based Emulsion, NCI Thesaurus)

Its ingredients either passively diffuse from, or are actively transported from, some portion of the patch.

(Patch, NCI Thesaurus)

They found that it passively removes pollutants from the air when coated on the surface of materials.

(Smog-eating graphene composite reduces atmospheric pollution, University of Cambridge)

Because I know, or believe, Mr. Rochester is living: and then, to die of want and cold is a fate to which nature cannot submit passively.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Keratinization Inhibition involves interference with, or restraint of, activities involved in proliferation and maturation of tightly bound keratinocytes transiting passively from the basal to the corneal layer of the skin.

(Keratinization Inhibition, NCI Thesaurus)

Marine zooplankton that passively float or weakly swim, and have calcium carbonate skeletons that are present in large numbers on the surface of the ocean.

(Planktonic Foraminifera, NOAA Paleoclimate Glossary)

Keratinization Induction consists of initiation of activities involved in proliferation and maturation of tightly bound keratinocytes transiting passively from the basal to the corneal layer of the skin.

(Keratinization Induction, NCI Thesaurus)

A computer-simulated model indicated that, while neck control is active, body reorientation into the wind is achieved passively.

(Scientists discover how birds navigate crosswinds, National Science Foundation)

This work shows that the motion of flapping feathered wings was developed passively and naturally as the dinosaur ran on the ground.

(Scientific study suggests dinosaurs flapped their wings as they ran, Wikinews)

The work was inspired by Araujo's desire to study natural feeding behavior, as opposed to animals passively munching on food pellets.

(Geneticists produce laser-activated killer mice, Wikinews)