neutral

Etymology

From Middle French neutral (compare modern French neutre), from Latin neutralis. By surface analysis, neuter + -al.

adj

1. (politics) Not taking sides in a conflict such as war; nonaligned.
2. Favouring neither the supporting nor opposing viewpoint of a topic of debate; unbiased.
   I am neutral regarding the issue of gay marriage.
   The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but constantly takes part one way or the other. 1711, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times
3. Neither positive nor negative.
4. Neither beneficial nor harmful.
   Some things good, and some things ill, do seem, And neutral some, in her fantastic eye. c. 1600, Sir John Davies, The Original, Nature, and Immortality of the Soul
   Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…] The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation,[…] In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better. These rarities may be new mutations, or they can be existing ones that are neutral—or are even selected against—in a wild population. A good example is mutations that disrupt seed dispersal, leaving the seeds on the heads long after they are ripe. 2013 May-June, David Van Tassel, Lee DeHaan, “Wild Plants to the Rescue”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3
5. (biology) Having no sex; neuter.
6. Having no obvious colour; gray
7. (physics) Neither positive nor negative; possessing no charge or equivalent positive and negative charge such that there is no imbalance.
8. (chemistry) Having a pH of or near 7, neither acidic nor alkaline.
9. (liquor, chemistry) Of an alcoholic drink, having been fermented and distilled but with no additives.
10. (roleplaying games) Having an alignment that is in between chaotic and lawful.

noun

1. A nonaligned state, or a member of such a state.
2. A person who takes no side in a dispute.
   They say in Harlan County There are no neutrals there You'll either be a union man Or a thug for J.H. Blair. 1931, “Which Side Are You On?”, performed by Florence Patton Reece
3. An individual or entity serving as an arbitrator or adjudicator.
4. A neutral hue.
5. The position of a set of gears in which power cannot be transmitted to the drive mechanism.
6. An electrical terminal or conductor which has zero or close to zero voltage with respect to the ground.