neutralization
Americannoun
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the act, process, or an instance of neutralizing.
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the quality or condition of being neutralized.
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Linguistics. the loss of a distinctive feature of one of a pair of phonemes that are otherwise differentiated on the basis of that feature, as the loss of voice as a distinctive feature between the -t- and -d- of latter and ladder.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of neutralization
First recorded in 1800–10; neutralize + -ation
Explanation
To neutralize something means to make it neutral or harmless. Neutralization is the name of this process. If you help defuse a bomb, you contribute to its neutralization. If you are a criminal mastermind, and a police detective appears to be amassing the evidence needed to convict you of your crimes, you can neutralize the threat he poses by having him killed. Following his neutralization, you can continue on your evil way.
Vocabulary lists containing neutralization
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
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Structure and Properties of Matter - High School
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"Milady Standard Cosmetology," Vocabulary from Part 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some research from Sweden, which also isn't yet peer reviewed but is in line with Cao's research, described BA.2.75.2 as "the most neutralisation resistant variant evaluated to date."
From Salon • Oct. 4, 2022
“The vaccinated group showed about a 5-fold higher neutralisation capacity ... and should be better protected,” said the study, a pre-print of which was released over the weekend.
From Reuters • May 1, 2022
He added the "hot zone" had also been cleared "more than 30 minutes before the neutralisation of the threat".
From BBC • Jan. 17, 2022
Despite differences in the labs’ results—which are common in such virus neutralisation assays—their conclusions are similar, and show that Omicron’s effects on neutralizing antibodies are “not complete knockouts”, says Murrell.
From Scientific American • Dec. 9, 2021
In the same way, no part of the coast at present belonging to Montenegro shall be subject to future neutralisation.
From In the World War by Czernin von und zu Chudenitz, Ottokar Theobald Otto Maria, Graf
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
