neutral English · revision 6555

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1449|origins=la neuter}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈnjuː.tɹəl/ ''(UK)''; /ˈnuː.tɹəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|neutral]] or directly [[bor|la|neutrālis|t=of neuter gender]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|neuter|t=neither of two]] (see [[neuter]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The sense of taking no side probably comes from Medieval Latin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==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.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) As an adjective, a compound of contrasting elements, in alchemy: 1471.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of rulers or states, not taking part in a war, is from 1549, and of persons in a dispute from 1551.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) Belonging to neither of two categories is from 1567.^(OED 1989) In chemistry, neither acid nor alkaline is from 1661, in Boyle,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and in electricity, having no charge, from 1837.^(Barnhart 1988) Of colours, without strong hue, it is from 1821.^(Etymonline) The disengaged position of gears is ''neutral'' by 1905,^(Etymonline) and the boxing ''neutral corner'' is from 1908.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1449 – a neutral person or state.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1471 – in alchemy.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1549 – not taking sides in a war.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1661 – in chemistry.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1821 – of colours.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1905 – the neutral gear.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Not supporting either side in a [[war]] or dispute; [[impartial]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Having no strong characteristics; of a colour, pale or greyish.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(chemistry)'' Neither [[acid]] nor [[alkaline]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physics)'' Having no electric [[charge]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A neutral person or country.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The position of a gear lever in which no gear is engaged.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[neutrally]]

+ * [[neutralness]]

+ * [[gender-neutral]]

+ * [[antineutral]]

+ * [[electroneutral]]

+ * [[neutralism]]

+ * [[neutralist]]

+ * [[neutrality]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[neuter]]

+ * [[neutralize]]

+ * [[neutron]]

+ * [[neither]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}