Etymologically
Log in

neutralis

This is an old revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:35. It may differ significantly from the current version. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Current version Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [nɛu̯ˈtraː.lɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [neu̯ˈtraː.lis][1]

Forms

neutrālis (neuter neutrāle); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from neuter “neither” with the suffix -ālis.[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Quintilian, whom he dates c. 35–95/96 AD.[4]

Semantic evolution

It was a grammatical term, neuter, of gender.[2][3]

British Medieval Latin used it for neutral, as a noun of people taking no side, and in grammar for intransitive.[5] It survives in Italian neutrale and Spanish neutral, and gave English neutral in the 1540s, first in alchemy and of states taking no side.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it.[4]
  • 1406 – A British council text uses it of neutrals.[5]
  • 1540s – English neutral is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (grammar) Neuter.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Neutral, (grammar) intransitive.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press