Etymologically
Log in

neutral

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 11:02. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈnjuː.tɹəl/ (UK); /ˈnuː.tɹəl/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Middle French neutral or directly borrowed from Latin neutrālis (“of neuter gender”),[2][3][4] from neuter (“neither of two”) (see neuter).[2][3] The sense of taking no side probably comes from Medieval Latin.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

As a noun, a person or state taking no part in a contest: about 1449 in Barnhart, the mid-15th century in Etymonline.[2][3] As an adjective, a compound of contrasting elements, in alchemy: 1471.[2]

Semantic evolution

Of rulers or states, not taking part in a war, is from 1549, and of persons in a dispute from 1551.[5][2] Belonging to neither of two categories is from 1567.[5] In chemistry, neither acid nor alkaline is from 1661, in Boyle,[2][3] and in electricity, having no charge, from 1837.[2] Of colours, without strong hue, it is from 1821.[3] The disengaged position of gears is neutral by 1905,[3] and the boxing neutral corner is from 1908.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 1449 – a neutral person or state.[2]
  • 1471 – in alchemy.[2]
  • 1549 – not taking sides in a war.[5][2]
  • 1661 – in chemistry.[2]
  • 1821 – of colours.[3]
  • 1905 – the neutral gear.[3]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Not supporting either side in a war or dispute; impartial.
  2. Having no strong characteristics; of a colour, pale or greyish.
  3. (chemistry) Neither acid nor alkaline.
  4. (physics) Having no electric charge.

Noun

  1. A neutral person or country.
  2. The position of a gear lever in which no gear is engaged.

Word family

  • neutrally
  • neutralness
  • gender-neutral
  • antineutral
  • electroneutral
  • neutralism
  • neutralist
  • neutrality

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ a b c Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press