neuter

¹neu·ter

adjective \ˈnü-tər, ˈnyü-\

grammar in some languages : of or belonging to the class of words (called a gender) that ordinarily includes most of the words referring to things that are neither masculine nor feminine

Full Definition of NEUTER

1

a :  of, relating to, or constituting the gender that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical forms referring to things classed as neither masculine nor feminine

b :  neither active nor passive :  intransitive

2

:  taking no side :  neutral

3

:  lacking or having imperfectly developed or nonfunctional generative organs

Examples of NEUTER

1. The pronoun “it” is neuter.

Origin of NEUTER

Middle English neutre, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French neutre, from Latin neuter, literally, neither, from ne- not + uter which of two — more at no, whether

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

Rhymes with NEUTER

fluter, hooter, looter, pewter, rooter, router, scooter, shooter, souter, suiter, suitor, tooter, tutor

²neuter

noun

Definition of NEUTER

1

a :  a noun, pronoun, adjective, or inflectional form or class of the neuter gender

b :  the neuter gender

2

:  one that is neutral

3

a :  worker 2

b :  a spayed or castrated animal

First Known Use of NEUTER

15th century

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with NEUTER

fluter, looter, pewter, rooter, tooter, tutor

³neuter

verb

: to remove the sex organs from (an animal)

: to make (something) much less powerful or effective

Full Definition of NEUTER

transitive verb

1

:  castrate, alter

2

:  to remove the force or effectiveness of

Examples of NEUTER

1. She had her dog neutered by the veterinarian.
2. The bill was neutered by the changes made by the legislature.

First Known Use of NEUTER

1903

Related to NEUTER

Synonyms

alter, desex, fix

Related Words

castrate, emasculate, geld; spay; sterilize

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut