neuter

American  

[noo-ter, nyoo-] / ˈnu tər, ˈnyu- /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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)

Etymology

Origin of neuter

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

Example Sentences

Their combined research studies will soon be available with others in the open access journal, Frontiers of Veterinary Science, as a free e-book, Effective Options Regarding Spay or Neuter of Dogs.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

Cahun, who at times was almost buzz-cut, once wrote “Masculine? Feminine? It depends on the situation. Neuter is the only gender that always suits me.”

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2021

You can also check to see if there’s an organization like the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project anywhere near you that may be able to offer support/resources like Trap, Neuter, Return:

From Slate • Dec. 9, 2019

“We want every pet owner in Los Angeles who wants spay and neuter services to have access to this safe and effective procedure,” said Katie Marrie, medical director for Spay Neuter Project Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 15, 2014

Thence came the energy of Brahma; and of this there were three aspects, the Good, the Evil, and the Neuter, symbolised by three triangles in a circle.

From Appearances Being Notes of Travel by Dickinson, G. Lowes (Goldsworthy Lowes)

Related Words

• castrate
• mutilate
• spay
• sterilize