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

In a clever touch, Sphere lets us continue to see the monstrous green face, now neutered and ridiculous, mouth along as the panicked geek apologizes for being a humbug.

From Los Angeles Times

They called for more humane solutions like vaccination and neutering and warned that putting all strays in shelters would lead to problems like overcrowding and culling.

From BBC

“Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California, and they will pay that price,” Newsom said.

From Los Angeles Times

But if there truly is a plan to defy or neuter the courts, the judiciary is not giving in without a fight.

From BBC

But “F1” is not merely safe, it’s been defanged and neutered — it doesn’t even bark!

From Salon

Related Words

• castrate 
• mutilate 
• spay 
• sterilize