( BrE also neu·tral·ise ) / ˈnjuːtrəlaɪz; NAmE ˈnuː-/ verb [ vn ]
1.
to stop sth from having any effect :
The latest figures should neutralize the fears of inflation.
2.
( chemistry ) to make a substance neutral (5)
3.
to make a country or an area neutral (2)
► neu·tral·iza·tion , neu·tral·isa·tion / ˌnjuːtrəlaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmE ˌnuːtrələˈz-/ noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from French neutraliser , from medieval Latin neutralizare , from Latin neutralis of neuter gender, from Latin neuter neither, from ne- not + uter either.