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

It will require a realistic plan to take back or neuter the Supreme Court.

From Slate

Their combined research studies will soon be available with others in the open access journal, Frontiers of Veterinary Science, as a free e-book, Effective Options Regarding Spay or Neuter of Dogs.

From Science Daily

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have updated their guidelines on when to neuter 40 popular dog varieties by breed and sex.

From Science Daily

That initial study set off a flurry of debate about the best age to neuter other popular breeds.

From Science Daily

"This is a shift from a long-standing model of early spay/neuter practices in the U.S. and much of Europe to neuter by 6 months of age, but important to consider as we see the connections between gonadal hormone withdrawal from early spay/neuter and potential health concerns."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• castrate
• mutilate
• spay
• sterilize