neuter
/ˈnjuːtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnuːtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnü-tər ˈnyü-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈnjuː.tər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnuː.t̬ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
neuter — 形容詞
- neuterpositive
- neuterercomparative
- neuterestsuperlative
1. in certain languages, belonging to a third grammatical group of nouns, pronouns
中性的
文法上既非陽性也非陰性的
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.
德文裡，「Kind」（小孩）這個詞是中性的，而不是陽性或陰性。
predicative use: '[noun] is neuter'
Élise was surprised that Latin has a neuter form alongside the masculine and feminine.
Élise 很驚訝拉丁文除了陽性和陰性之外，還有中性形式。
attributive: 'neuter form'
Many neuter nouns in Russian end in '-o' or '-e' in the dictionary form.
俄文裡許多中性名詞的字典原形以 -o 或 -e 結尾。
Professor Hari explained that the Greek pronoun used here is neuter, not masculine.
Hari 教授解釋說，這裡用到的希臘文代名詞是中性的，不是陽性的。
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
無性的
生殖器官缺失或無功能的
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.
工蜂是無性的，無法產下能孵化的卵；只有蜂后能繁殖。
subject = caste/group; predicative use
The biology teacher said the worker ants in the colony are neuter female adults.
生物老師說，巢裡的工蟻是無性的成年雌蟻。
predicative; entomology context
Some hybrid plants are neuter and must be propagated by cuttings rather than seed.
有些雜交植物是無性的，必須靠扦插繁殖，無法用種子。
Adaeze studied a neuter caste of termites whose ovaries never develop fully.
Adaeze 研究的是一群卵巢始終發育不全的無性白蟻階級。
- 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 — 動詞
- 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
結紮；絕育
以手術切除動物部分生殖器官
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.
這間收容所在把狗送給新主人之前，都會為牠們絕育。
policy/procedure context
Christopher decided to have his two rabbits neutered to stop them fighting.
Christopher 決定帶他的兩隻兔子去絕育，免得牠們再打架。
passive: 'have [animal] neutered'
Vets usually recommend neutering male cats by the age of six months.
獸醫通常建議在公貓滿六個月前就為牠絕育。
The clinic offers a low-cost programme for neutering stray cats in the neighbourhood.
這間診所提供低價方案，專為社區裡的流浪貓做絕育手術。
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
削弱；架空
使法規或機構失去實質權力
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.
這些修正條文架空了新的隱私法，使企業可以自由分享資料。
object = legislation
Budget cuts have effectively neutered the agency responsible for inspecting factories.
預算被砍之後，負責檢查工廠的那個機構幾乎被架空了。
passive-leaning; subject = cause
Senator Mauricio accused the committee of neutering his bill on workplace safety.
Mauricio 參議員指控委員會把他的職場安全法案削得無力。
Critics say the new rules would neuter the courts in disputes with the government.
批評者說，新規定會讓法院在和政府的爭議中形同被架空。
- 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 — 名詞
1. the third grammatical gender in some languages, set apart from the male and fema
中性
三性語言中既非陽性也非陰性的那一性
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.
在拉丁文文法裡，中性是以形容詞和代名詞上的特殊字尾來標示的。
definite: 'the neuter' = the gender category
Sumin asked whether 'das Mädchen' is a neuter despite meaning 'girl'.
Sumin 問道：「das Mädchen」雖然意思是「女孩」，為什麼會是中性。
indefinite: 'a neuter' = an item of that gender
Old English had three genders, but the neuter slowly disappeared from common nouns.
古英語有三種性別，但中性在普通名詞中慢慢消失了。
Ari pointed out that the Russian pronoun for 'it' is a neuter.
Ari 指出，俄文裡相當於「it」的代名詞是中性的。
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.
中立方
在爭端中不選邊站的個人或國家
a person or country that takes no side in a conflict or argument.
During the dispute between the two departments, Kian remained a neuter.
在兩個部門爭執的過程中，Kian 始終扮演中立者的角色。
indefinite singular: 'a neuter'
Switzerland has long acted as a neuter in European wars.
瑞士長期以來在歐洲的戰爭中都是中立國。
country as 'a neuter' in conflict
The mayor positioned himself as a neuter between the rival groups in town.
市長把自己定位成鎮上敵對團體之間的中立者。
The treaty named several small states as neuters who would not host troops.
條約指名幾個小國為中立國，這些國家不得駐紮軍隊。
- 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
結紮過的動物
已動過絕育手術的家畜（多指貓）
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.
收容所裡大多數的貓都是結紮過的，並且都已植入晶片。
plural countable
Diya prefers to adopt a neuter because she does not want kittens.
Diya 偏好認養結紮過的貓，因為她不想要小貓。
indefinite singular
The pet insurance form asks whether the animal is a neuter or still entire.
寵物保險的表格會問該動物是已結紮的還是尚未結紮的。
Among Haruto's three cats, two are neuters and the third is too young for surgery.
Haruto 養的三隻貓裡，有兩隻已經結紮，第三隻還太小不能動手術。
- 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.