neuter
/ˈn(j)utɚ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.88 in modern English
6
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Having a form which is not masculine nor feminine; or having a form which is not of common gender.
adj
adj
Sexless: having no or imperfectly developed sex organs.
adj
Castrated; having had the reproductive organs removed.
noun
An organism, either vegetable or animal, which at its maturity has no generative organs, or but imperfectly developed ones, as a plant without stamens or pistils, as the garden Hydrangea; especially, one of the imperfectly developed females of certain social insects, as of the ant and the common honeybee, which perform the labors of the community, and are called workers.
Example Sentences
- "But if I could, by Him that gave me life, I would attach you all and make you stoop Unto the sovereign mercy of the king; But since I cannot, be it known to you I do remain as neuter."
- "This is certain, that in all our Undertakings God will be either our Friend or our Enemy. For Providence never stands neuter […]"
- "[A]s their firſt Security, they did all they could to foment War betwixt the neighbouring Negroes, remaining Neuter themselves, by which Means, thoſe who were overcome conſtantly fled to them for Protection, otherwiſe they must be either killed or made Slaves."
- "A relay race that does not match teams but integrates the fastest and the slowest in one race against the most neuter of all adversaries — time."
- "a neuter noun"
- "the neuter definite article"
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English neutre, from Latin neuter, from ne (“not”) + uter (“either”), a semantic loan from Koine Greek οὐδέτερος (oudéteros); compare English either, English whether, and neither.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *kʷ-, neutre, neuter
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈn(j)utɚ/
- British English: /ˈnjuːtə/
Usage
Inflected Forms
more neuter (comparative)
most neuter (superlative)
n. (alternative, abbreviation)
n (alternative, abbreviation)
ntr (alternative, abbreviation)
neuters (plural)
neuters (present, singular)
neutering (participle, present)
neutered (participle, past)
neutered (past)