NEUTRAL


Meaning of NEUTRAL in English

I. ˈnü-trəl, ˈnyü- noun

Date: 15th century

1. : one that is neutral

2. : a neutral color

3. : a position of disengagement (as of gears)

II. adjective

Etymology: Middle English neuterall mutually neutralizing, from Medieval Latin * neutralis, back-formation from neutralitas middle ground, from Latin neutralis neuter, from neutr-, neuter

Date: 1549

1. : not engaged on either side ; specifically : not aligned with a political or ideological grouping

a neutral nation

2. : of or relating to a neutral state or power

neutral territory

3.

a. : not decided or pronounced as to characteristics : indifferent

b.

(1) : achromatic

(2) : nearly achromatic

c.

(1) : neuter 3

(2) : lacking stamens or pistils

d. : neither acid nor basic

e. : not electrically charged

4. : produced with the tongue in the position it has when at rest

the neutral vowels of ə-ˈbəv above

• neu·tral·ly -trə-lē adverb

• neu·tral·ness noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.