neuter
/ˈnjuːtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnuːtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnü-tər ˈnyü-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈnjuː.tər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnuː.t̬ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
neuter — adjective
- neuterpositive
- neuterercomparative
- neuterestsuperlative
1. in certain languages, belonging to a third grammatical group of nouns, pronouns
in certain languages, belonging to a third grammatical group of nouns, pronouns and articles that stands apart from the male and female categories.
In German, the word for child, 'Kind', is neuter rather than masculine or feminine.
predicative use: '[noun] is neuter'
Élise was surprised that Latin has a neuter form alongside the masculine and feminine.
attributive: 'neuter form'
Many neuter nouns in Russian end in '-o' or '-e' in the dictionary form.
Professor Hari explained that the Greek pronoun used here is neuter, not masculine.
文法句型
neuter noun/pronoun/article
用法筆記
Used only of languages with a three-gender system (e.g. German, Russian, Latin, Greek). Does not apply to English, which lost grammatical gender on common nouns; in English contexts the word usually appears in discussions of other languages.
常見錯誤
2. of an animal or plant, having sex organs that are missing, incomplete, or unable
of an animal or plant, having sex organs that are missing, incomplete, or unable to function for reproduction.
Worker bees are neuter and cannot lay fertile eggs; only the queen reproduces.
subject = caste/group; predicative use
The biology teacher said the worker ants in the colony are neuter female adults.
predicative; entomology context
Some hybrid plants are neuter and must be propagated by cuttings rather than seed.
Adaeze studied a neuter caste of termites whose ovaries never develop fully.
- fertile
able to reproduce
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is biological (no functional reproductive organs), not grammatical. Most common in writing about social insects (bees, ants, termites) and certain plants; rarely used of mammals, where 'spayed' or 'castrated' is preferred.
常見錯誤
neuter — verb
- neuterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- neuters3rd person singular
- neutering-ing form
- neuteredpast simple
1. to surgically remove the reproductive organs of an animal so that it can no long
to surgically remove the reproductive organs of an animal so that it can no longer breed.
The shelter neuters every dog before it is given to a new owner.
policy/procedure context
Christopher decided to have his two rabbits neutered to stop them fighting.
passive: 'have [animal] neutered'
Vets usually recommend neutering male cats by the age of six months.
The clinic offers a low-cost programme for neutering stray cats in the neighbourhood.
文法句型
neuter + [animal]
用法筆記
Frequently passive ('be neutered', 'have your pet neutered'). Object is almost always a domestic or stray animal — using it of humans is jocular or hostile and is not standard. For females specifically, 'spay' is more common; 'castrate' is the male-only counterpart. 'Neuter' covers both sexes.
常見錯誤
2. to make a rule, agency, plan, or person unable to act forcefully, usually by rem
to make a rule, agency, plan, or person unable to act forcefully, usually by removing the part that gives it real authority or impact.
The amendments neutered the new privacy law and left companies free to share data.
object = legislation
Budget cuts have effectively neutered the agency responsible for inspecting factories.
passive-leaning; subject = cause
Senator Mauricio accused the committee of neutering his bill on workplace safety.
Critics say the new rules would neuter the courts in disputes with the government.
- weaken
general; less drastic than 'neuter'
- emasculate
formal; same idea but more vivid and gendered in tone
- gut
informal; suggests taking the essential content out, often of legislation
- strengthen
give more force to
- empower
give power or authority to
文法句型
neuter + [law/agency/proposal]
用法筆記
Object is typically a law, regulation, agency, proposal, or other body whose value lies in its power to act. Distinguish from sense 1: this is figurative and almost always passive or causative ('was neutered by amendments'). Common in political and journalistic writing.
常見錯誤
neuter — noun
1. the third grammatical gender in some languages, set apart from the male and fema
the third grammatical gender in some languages, set apart from the male and female categories; also a word or form belonging to this group.
In Latin grammar, the neuter is marked by special endings on adjectives and pronouns.
definite: 'the neuter' = the gender category
Sumin asked whether 'das Mädchen' is a neuter despite meaning 'girl'.
indefinite: 'a neuter' = an item of that gender
Old English had three genders, but the neuter slowly disappeared from common nouns.
Ari pointed out that the Russian pronoun for 'it' is a neuter.
文法句型
the neuter
a neuter
用法筆記
Used both as a mass term for the gender category itself ('the neuter') and as a count noun for an individual word that belongs to it ('a neuter'). Most often appears in language-teaching and linguistics writing about German, Russian, Latin, Greek, and similar systems.
常見錯誤
2. a person or country that takes no side in a conflict or argument.
a person or country that takes no side in a conflict or argument.
During the dispute between the two departments, Kian remained a neuter.
indefinite singular: 'a neuter'
Switzerland has long acted as a neuter in European wars.
country as 'a neuter' in conflict
The mayor positioned himself as a neuter between the rival groups in town.
The treaty named several small states as neuters who would not host troops.
- partisan
someone who strongly takes one side
用法筆記
Rare in everyday English; 'neutral' (adjective) or 'a neutral party' is far more common. Use 'a neuter' mainly in older, formal, or historical writing about diplomacy and disputes. Distinguish from sense 1 (grammar) and sense 3 (altered animal).
常見錯誤
3. a domestic animal, especially a cat, that has had part of its reproductive organ
a domestic animal, especially a cat, that has had part of its reproductive organs removed by surgery.
Most of the cats at the shelter are neuters and have been microchipped.
plural countable
Diya prefers to adopt a neuter because she does not want kittens.
indefinite singular
The pet insurance form asks whether the animal is a neuter or still entire.
Among Haruto's three cats, two are neuters and the third is too young for surgery.
- entire
vet/breeder term for an animal that has not been neutered
用法筆記
Mainly used in writing aimed at vets, breeders, and shelters. In everyday speech, owners say 'my cat has been neutered' rather than 'my cat is a neuter'. Most strongly associated with cats; less common for dogs.