neuter

[noo-ter, nyoo-]

adjective

1. Grammar.

   1. noting or pertaining to a gender that refers to things classed as neither masculine nor feminine.

   2. (of a verb) intransitive.

2. Zoology, Botany.,  having no organs of reproduction; without sex; asexual.

3. Zoology.,  having imperfectly developed sexual organs, as the worker bees and ants.

4. neutral; siding with no one.

noun

1. Grammar.

   1. the neuter gender.

   2. a noun of that gender.

   3. another element marking that gender.

   4. an intransitive verb.

2. an animal made sterile by castration or spaying.

3. Zoology.,  a neuter insect.

4. a person or thing that is neutral.

verb (used with object)

1. Veterinary Science.,  to spay or castrate (a dog, cat, etc.).

neuter

/ ˈnjuːtə /

adjective

1. grammar

   1. denoting or belonging to a gender of nouns which for the most part have inanimate referents or do not specify the sex of their referents

   2. ( as noun )

      German ``Mädchen'' (meaning ``girl'') is a neuter

2. (of animals and plants) having nonfunctional, underdeveloped, or absent reproductive organs

3. sexless or giving no indication of sex

   a neuter sort of name

noun

1. a sexually underdeveloped female insect, such as a worker bee

2. a castrated animal, esp a domestic animal

3. a flower in which the stamens and pistil are absent or nonfunctional

verb

1. (tr) to castrate or spay (an animal)

Word History and Origins

Origin of neuter¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin neuter “neither (of two),” equivalent to ne “not” + uter “either (of two)”; replacing Middle English neutre, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of neuter¹

C14: from Latin, from ne not + uter either (of two)

Example Sentences

It wasn’t my intent to be in it, but more often than not, documentaries neuter and make invisible the acts of their creation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Earlier this month, the seasonal effect was neutered by stock-market weakness.

Read more on MarketWatch

Ms. Tisch overruled a civilian advisory board by forgoing discipline, but Mr. Mamdani would give the board the last say and neuter the chain of command.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Threats from Iran could have neutered them at any time.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ms Connolly is also in support of better education, together with government-funded neutering.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• castrate 
• mutilate 
• spay 
• sterilize