neutral etymology

Etymology:

The word "neutral" comes from the Latin word "neuter," which means "neither one nor the other." The Latin word is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *newt-, meaning "not" or "new."

Meaning and Origin:

In its original Latin usage, "neuter" referred to words that had no grammatical gender, such as "book" or "chair." This sense of the word persists in some modern languages, such as French.

However, in English, "neutral" has come to have a broader meaning, referring to something that is:

• Not aligned with either side in a conflict or dispute
• Not strongly characterized by any particular quality or emotion
• Of medium or moderate quality or degree

This broader sense of the word developed gradually over time. In the 16th century, "neutral" was used to describe people who remained impartial during the Reformation. In the 17th century, it began to be used in a more general sense, referring to things that were not strongly characterized by any particular quality or emotion.

Today, "neutral" is a common word used in various contexts, including:

• Diplomacy: Neutrality in international relations refers to a country's refusal to take sides in a conflict between other countries.
• Chemistry: A neutral substance is neither acidic nor basic.
• Science: A neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons.
• Everyday language: Something that is нейтральный is neither good nor bad, neither hot nor cold, neither noisy nor quiet, etc.

neutral relate terms

• neuter

  Etymology The word neuter derives from the Latin word neuter which itself originate

• whether

  Etymology Meaning The study of the origin and history of words Origin From the Greek

• neutral

  Etymology The word neutral comes from the Latin word neuter which means neither on

• neutral

  Etymology The word neutral comes from the Latin word neuter which means neither on

• neutralize

  Etymology The word neutralize is derived from the Latin phrase neutralis meaning n

• neutron

  Etymology The word neutron is derived from the Latin word neutrum meaning neither

• positive

  Etymology Latin prefix pos meaning after or behind Latin root tivus meanin

• themselves

  Etymology The word themselves is derived from the Old English word hemself or hemsel

• vitamin

  Etymology Derived from the Latin word vita meaning life min is a suffix added t

• infect

  Etymology The word infect derives from the Latin inficere which means to put a sta

• inert

  Etymology and Meaning The word inert comes from the Latin word iners which means i

• mortal

  Etymology Latin mortalis meaning subject to death Proto Indo European mrtós mea

• person

  Etymology Latin persona meaning mask or character in a play Meaning An indiv

• indifferent

  Etymology The word indifferent comes from the Latin indifferens which means not ma