A- (3) prefix meaning "not," from Gk a-, an- "not," from pie base *ne "not" (see un-)

neat (adj.) --- 1542, "clean, free from dirt," from Anglo-Fr. neit, from O.Fr. net "clear, pure," from L. nitidus "well-favored, elegant, trim," lit. "gleaming," from nitere "to shine," from PIE base *nei-/*ni- "to shine" (cf. M.Ir. niam "gleam, splendor," niamda "shining;" O.Ir. noib "holy," niab "strength;" Welsh nwyfiant "gleam, splendor"). Meaning "inclined to be tidy" is from 1577. Sense of "straight liquor" is c.1800, from meaning "unadulterated" (of wine), first attested 1579. Informal sense of "very good" first recorded 1934 in Amer.Eng.; variant neato is teenager slang, first recorded 1968. Neatnik "excessively tidy person" is from 1959 (see -nik).

neath --- 1787, poetic shortening of beneath (q.v.).

neb --- beak or bill of a bird, O.E. nebb "beak, nose, face," common Gmc. (cf. O.N. nef "beak, nose," Ger. Schnabel "beak," O.Fris. snavel "mouth"), perhaps somehow connected with the source of nave (2).

nebbish --- 1907, nebbich, from Yiddish, from a Slavic source akin to Czech neboh "poor, unfortunate," lit. "un-endowed."

Nebraska --- from a native Siouan name for the Platte River, either Omaha ni braska or Oto ni brathge, both lit. "water flat." The modern river name is from Fr. rivière platte, which means "flat river."

Nebuchadnezzar --- king of Babylon (604-562 B.C.E.), from Heb. Nebhukhadhnetztzar, from Babylonian Nabu-kudurri-usur, probably lit. "Nebo, protect the boundary."

nebula --- c.1420, nebule "a cloud, mist," from L. nebula "mist," from PIE *nebh- "cloud, vapor, fog, moist, sky" (cf. Skt. nabhas- "vapor, cloud, mists, fog, sky;" Gk. nephele, nephos "cloud;" Ger. nebel "fog;" O.E. nifol "dark;" Welsh niwl "cloud, fog;" Slav. nebo). Re-borrowed from L. 1661 in sense of "cataracts in the eye;" astronomical meaning "cloud-like patch in the night sky" first recorded c.1730. As early as Hershel (1802) astronomers realized that some nebulae were star clusters, but distinction of gas clouds from distant galaxies was not made until c.1930.

nebulous --- c.1386, "cloudy, misty," from L. nebulosus "cloudy, misty, foggy," from nebula (see nebula). The fig. sense of "hazy, vague, formless" is first attested 1831.

necessary --- 1340 (n.), c.1380 (adj.), from L. necessarius, from necesse "unavoidable, indispensable," originally "no backing away," from ne- "not" + cedere "to withdraw, go away, yield" (see cede). Necessary house "privy" is from 1609. Necessity (c.1374) is from O.Fr. necessité, from L. necessitatem (nom. necessitas) "compulsion, need for attention." Necessitate is first attested 1628.

neck --- O.E. hnecca "neck, back of the neck" (a fairly rare word) from P.Gmc. *khnekkon "the nape of the neck" (cf. O.Fris. hnekka, M.Du. necke, O.N. hnakkr, O.H.G. hnach, Ger. Nacken "neck"), with no certain cognates outside Gmc., though some suggest PIE *knok- "high point, ridge" (cf. O.Ir. cnocc, Welsh cnwch, O.Bret. cnoch "hill"). The more usual O.E. words were hals (the general Gmc. word, cf. Goth., O.N., Dan., Swed., Du., Ger. hals), cognate with L. collum (see collar); and swira, probably also from a PIE root meaning "column" (cf. Skt. svaru- "post"). The verb meaning "to kiss, embrace, caress" is first recorded 1825 (implied in necking) in northern England dial., from the noun. Neckerchief is 1382, from kerchief (q.v.). Phrase neck of the woods (Amer.Eng.) is attested from 1780 in the sense of "narrow stretch of woods;" 1839 with meaning "settlement in a wooded region." Neckline of a garment is from 1904. To stick one's neck out "take a risk" is first recorded 1926, Amer.Eng. Horses running neck and neck is attested from 1799.

necklace --- c.1590, from neck (q.v.) + lace in the sense of "cord, string."

necktie --- 1838, from neck (n.) + tie (n.). Amer.Eng. slang necktie party "a lynching" is recorded from 1871.

necro- --- from Gk. nekros "dead body," from PIE *nek- "death, natural death" (cf. Skt. nasyati "disappears, perishes," Avestan nasyeiti "disappears," nasu- "corpse," O.Pers. vi-nathayatiy "he injures;" L. nex, gen. necis "violent death, murder" (as opposed to mors), nocere "to harm, hurt," noxius "harmful;" Gk. nekus "dead" (adj.), nekros "dead body, corpse;" O.Ir. ec, Bret. ankou, Welsh angeu "death").

necromancy --- c.1300, "divination by communication with the dead," from O.Fr. nygromancie, from M.L. nigromantia (1212), from L. necromantia "divination from an exhumed corpse," from Gk. nekromanteia, from nekros "dead body" (see necro-) + manteia "divination, oracle," from manteuesthai "to prophesy," from mantis "prophet" (see mania). Spelling infl. in M.L. by niger "black," on notion of "black arts." Modern spelling is c.1550 from attempts to correct M.E. nygromauncy.

necrophilia --- 1892, in Chaddock's translation of Krafft-Ebbing's "Psychopathia Sexualis," from necro- + philia.

necropolis --- large cemetery of an ancient or modern city, 1819, from L.L., lit. "city of the dead," From Gk. necro- (see necro-) + polis "city" (see policy (1)).

necrosis --- death of bodily tissue, 1665, from Gk. nekrosis "a becoming dead, state of death," from nekroun "make dead," from nekros "dead body" (see necro-).

nectar --- 1555, from L. nectar "drink of the gods," from Gk. nektar, which is said to be a compound of nek- "death" (see necro-) + -tar "overcoming." Meaning "sweet liquid in flowers" first recorded 1609.

nectarine --- type of peach with smooth skin, 1616, noun use of adj. meaning "of or like nectar" (1611). Probably inspired by Ger. nektarpfirsich "nectar-peach."

nee --- introducing the maiden name of a married woman, 1758, from Fr. née, fem. pp. of naître "born," from L. natus, pp. of nasci (see nation).

need (n.) --- O.E. nied (W.Saxon), ned (Mercian) "necessity, compulsion, duty," originally "violence, force," from P.Gmc. *nauthis (cf. O.N. nauðr, O.Fris. ned, M.Du. nood, Ger. Not, Goth. nauþs "need"), probably cognate with O.Pruss. nautin "need," and perhaps with O.C.S. nazda, Rus. nuzda, Pol. nedza "misery, distress," from PIE *nau- "death, to be exhausted." The more common O.E. word for "need, necessity, want" was ðearf, but they were connected via a notion of "trouble, pain," and the two formed a compound, niedðearf "need, necessity, compulsion, thing needed." Nied also may have been infl. by O.E. neod "desire, longing," which was often spelled the same. Common in O.E. compounds, e.g. niedfaru "compulsory journey," a euphemism for "death;" niedhæmed "rape," the second element being an O.E. word meaning "sexual intercourse;" niedling "slave." Meaning "extreme poverty, destitution" is from c.1200. The verb is O.E. neodian "be necessary," from the noun. Phrase the needful "money" is attested from 1774. The adj. phrase need-to-know is attested from 1954.

needle --- O.E. naeðlæ, nedlæ, from P.Gmc. *næthlo (cf. O.S. nathla, O.N. nal, O.Fris. nedle, O.H.G. nadala, Ger. Nadel, Goth. neþla), lit. "a tool for sewing," from PIE *net-la-, from base *(s)ne- "to sew, to spin" (cf. Skt. snayati "wraps up," Gk. nein "to spin," L. nere "to spin," O.C.S. niti "thread," O.Ir. snathat "needle," Welsh nyddu "to sew," nodwydd "needle") + instrumental suffix *-tla.

needs --- in archaic constructions involving must (c.1374) is from O.E. nede, instr. and gen. sing. of nied (see need), used as an adverb reinforcing must, hence the genitive ending.

needy --- c.1175, neodi "poor, indigent," from need (n.) (q.v.) + adj. suffix -y.

ne'er-do-well (n.) --- one who is good for nothing, 1737, Scot. and northern Eng. dialect, from contraction of phrase never do well. The adj. is first recorded 1773.

nefarious --- 1604, from L. nefarius "wicked, abominable," from nefas "crime, wrong, impiety," from ne- "not" (see un-) + fas "right, lawful, divinely spoken," related to fari "to speak" (see fame).

negation --- 1530, from M.Fr. negation, from L. negationem (nom. negatio) "denial," from negatus, pp. of negare "deny, say no" (see deny). The verb negate (1623) is a back-formation.

negative (adj.) --- c.1400, from O.Fr. negatif (fem. negative), 13c., from L. negativus, from negare (see deny). The electricity sense is from 1799. The noun is c.1380 in the sense "a prohibition;" in the photographic sense first recorded 1853. Negativism is 1824 as "the policy of opposition;" in a psychological sense, it is attested from 1892.

negatory (adj.) --- expressing negation, 1580, from M.Fr. negatoire, from M.L. negatorius "negative," from L. negatus (see negation). In the sense "no" it is U.S. Air Force slang from the early 1950s.

negentropy --- 1950, compounded from neg(ative) entropy.

neglect (v.) --- 1529, from L. neglectus, pp. of neglegere "to make light of, disregard," lit. "not to pick up," variant of neclegere, from Old L. nec "not" (see deny) + legere "pick up, select" (see lecture). The noun is first attested 1588.

negligee --- 1756, "a kind of loose gown worn by women," from Fr. négligée, from fem. pp. of négliger "to neglect," from L. neglegere (see neglect). So called in comparison to the elaborate costume of a fully dressed woman of the period. Borrowed again, 1835; the modern sense "semi-transparent, flimsy, lacy dressing gown" is yet another revival, first recorded 1930.

negligence --- c.1340, from L. neclegentia, neglegentia "carelessness, heedlessness," from neglegentem (nom. neglegens), prp. of neglegere "to neglect" (see neglect). The adj. negligent is attested from c.1380.

negligible --- capable of being neglected, 1829, coined in Eng. from negligence (q.v.).

negotiate (v.) --- to communicate in search of mutual agreement, 1599, back-formation from negotiation (q.v.). In the sense of "tackle successfully" (1862), it at first meant "to clear on horseback a hedge, fence, or other obstacle" and "originated in the hunting-field; those who hunt the fox like also to hunt jocular verbal novelties." [Gowers, 1965]

negotiation --- 1579, from L. negotiationem (nom. negotiatio) "business, traffic," from negotiatus, pp. of negotiari "carry on business," from negotium "business," lit. "lack of leisure," from neg- "not" (see deny) + otium "ease, leisure." The shift from "doing business" to "bargaining" about anything took place in Latin.

Negro --- member of a black-skinned race of Africa, 1555, from Sp. or Port. negro "black," from L. nigrum (nom. niger) "black," of unknown origin. Use with a capital N- became general early 20c. (e.g. 1930 in "New York Times" stylebook) in ref. to U.S. citizens of African descent, but because of its perceived association with white-imposed attitudes and roles the word was ousted late 1960s in this sense by Black (q.v.).

Negus --- title of the ruler of Abyssinia, 1594, from Amharic negush "king," from stem of nagasha "he forced, ruled."

Nehemiah --- masc. proper name, Jewish leader under Pers. king Artaxerxes, from Heb. Nehemyah, lit. "the Lord comforts."

Nehru --- in ref. to a type of long, narrow jacket with a standing collar (popular in Western fashion, late 1960s), 1967, in ref. to Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), first prime minister of independent India (1947-1969), who often wore such a jacket in public appearances.

neigh --- O.E. hnægan, probably of imitative origin (cf. O.N. gneggja, M.H.G. negen, Fr. hennir, Jap. inanaki).

neighbor (n.) --- O.E. neahgebur (W.Saxon), nehebur (Anglian), from neah "near" (see nigh) + gebur "dweller," related to bur "dwelling" (see bower). Common Gmc. compound (cf. Du. (na)bur, O.H.G. nahgibur, M.H.G. nachgebur, Ger. Nachbar). The verb is first attested in 1586.

neighborhood --- 1449, "neighborly conduct, friendliness," from neighbor + -hood (q.v.). Modern sense of "community of people who live close together" is first recorded 1625. Phrase in the neighborhood of meaning "near, somewhere about" is first recorded 1857, Amer.Eng. The O.E. word for "neighborhood" was neahdæl.

Neil --- surname and masc. proper name, from Gael./O.Ir. Niall "champion." Picked up by the Vikings in Ireland (as Njall), brought by them to Iceland and Norway, thence to France, introduced in England at the Conquest. Incorrectly Latinized as Nigellus on mistaken association with niger "black," hence Nigel.

neither --- O.E. nawþer, contraction of nahwæþer, lit. "not of two," from na "no" (see no) + hwæþer "which of two" (see whether). Spelling alt. c.1200 by association with either.

Nelly --- fem. proper name, a pet form of Ellen, Helen, or Eleanor. Meaning "weak-spirited person" is first attested 1961.

nelson --- type of wrestling hold, 1889, apparently from a proper or surname, but no one now knows whose.

nem. con. --- 1588, abbreviation of L. phrase nemine contradicente "no one dissenting," hence, "without opposition."

nematode (n.) --- 1865, from Mod.L. Nematoda, the class or phylum name, from Gk. nema (gen. nematos) "thread" (from stem of nein "to spin;" see needle) + -ode "in the nature of."

Nembutal --- type of barbiturate, 1930, proprietary name of pentobarbitone sodium, formed from letters and syllables from N(a) "sodium" + full chemical name 5-ethyl-5-1-methylbutyl barbiturate.

Nemean --- 1588, "pertaining to Nemea, a wooded valley in Argolis, esp. in ref. to the lion there, said to have been killed by Herakles. The place name is from Gk. nemos "grove."

Nemesis --- 1576, "Gk. goddess of vengeance," from nemesis "just indignation, jealousy, vengeance," lit. "distribution," related to nemein "distribute, allot, apportion one's due," from PIE base *nem- "to divide, distribute, allot, to take" (cf. O.E., Goth. niman "to take," Ger. nehmen). With a lower-case -n-, in the sense of "retributive justice," attested from 1597. General sense of "anything by which it seems one must be defeated" is 20c.

neo- --- Gk. neo-, comb. form of neos "new," from PIE base newos (see new). Used in a seemingly endless number of adjectives and nouns, mostly coined since c.1880.

neo-classical --- style of art, architecture, etc., influenced by classical patterns, 1877, esp. in ref. to 18th century English literature.

neocon --- by 1987, abbreviation for neo-conservative in the U.S. political sense.

neo-conservative --- Used in the modern sense by 1979:

neolithic --- pertaining to the later Stone Age, 1865, coined by John Lubbock, later Baron Avebury, (1834-1913) from neo- + Gk. lithos "stone."

neologism --- practice of innovation in language, 1800, from Fr. néologisme, from neo- + logos "word." Meaning "new word or expression" is from 1803. Neological is attested from 1754.

neon --- 1898, coined by Ramsay and Travers from Gk. neon, neut. of neos "new," so called because it was newly discovered. Neon sign is attested from 1927.

neonatology --- branch of medicine concerned with newborn infants, 1960, from neonate "recently born individual" (1932), coined from neo- (q.v.) + L. natus "born."

neophyte --- new convert, c.1550, from L.L. neophytus, from Gk. neophytos, lit. "newly planted," from neos "new" + -phytos "planted," verbal adj. of phyein "cause to grow, beget, plant." Church sense is from I Tim. iii.6. Rare before 19c. General sense of "one who is new to any subject" is first recorded 1599.

Neoplatonism --- 1845, a philosophical and religious system mixing Platonic ideas and oriental mysticism, originating 3c. at Alexandria, especially in writings of Plotinus, Porphyry, and Proclus. Neoplatonian is attested from 1831.

neoteny --- retention of juvenile characteristics in adult life, 1901, from Ger. neotenie (1884), from Gk. neos "young" + teinein "to extend" (see tenet).

nepenthe --- 1580, nepenthes, from Gk., from ne- "no, not" (see un-) + penthos "grief" (related to pathos). A drug of Egypt mentioned in the "Odyssey" as capable of banishing grief or trouble from the mind. The -s is a proper part of the word, but was likely mistaken in Eng. as a plural affix and dropped.

nephew --- c.1297, from O.Fr. neveu (O.N.Fr. nevu) "grandson, descendant," from L. nepotem (nom. nepos) "sister's son, grandson, descendant," in post-Augustan L., "nephew," from PIE *nepot- "grandchild," and in a general sense, "male descendant other than son" (cf. Skt. napat "grandson, descendant," O.Pers. napat- "grandson," O.Lith. nepuotis "grandson," O.E. nefa, Ger. Neffe "nephew," O.Ir. nia, gen. niath "son of a sister"). Used in Eng. in all the classical senses until meaning narrowed in 17c., and also as a euphemism for "the illegitimate son of an ecclesiastic" (1587).

nephritis --- 1580, from L.L. nephritis, from Gk. nephritis, from nephros "kidney" (from PIE *negwhro- "kidney," cf. L. nefrones, O.N. nyra, Du. nier, Ger. Niere "kidney") + -itis "inflammation."

nepotism --- favoritism shown to relatives, esp. in appointment to high office, 1662, from Fr. népotisme, from It. nepotismo, from nepote "nephew," from L. nepotem (nom. nepos) "grandson, nephew" (see nephew). Originally, privileges granted to a pope's "nephew" which was a euphemism for his natural son.

Neptune --- c.1385, from L. Neptunus, the Roman god of the sea (later identified with Gk. Poseidon), probably from PIE base *(e)nebh- "moist" (cf. L. nebula "fog, mist, cloud;" see nebula). The planet so named was discovered by Galle in 1846. Until the identification of Pluto in 1930, it was the most distant planet known. Neptunian (1794) in the geological sense refers to actions of water; usually opposed to volcanic or plutonic.

nerd --- 1951, U.S. student slang, probably an alteration of 1940s slang nert "stupid or crazy person," itself an alteration of nut. The word turns up in a Dr. Seuss book from 1950 ("If I Ran the Zoo"), which may have contributed to its rise. Adjective nerdy is from 1978.

Nereid --- sea-nymph, 1513, from Gk. Nereis (gen. Nereidos), daughter of the ancient sea-god Nereus, whose name is related to naros "flowing, liquid, I flow" (see naiad).

nertz --- 1932, originally Amer.Eng. university slang, colloquial or euphemistic pronunciation of nuts.

nerve --- c.1374, nerf "sinew, tendon," from M.L. nervus "nerve," from L. nervus "sinew, tendon," metathesis of pre-L. *neuros, from PIE *(s)neu- (cf. Skt. snavan- "band, sinew," Arm. neard "sinew," Gk. neuron "sinew, tendon," in Galen "nerve"). Sense of "fibers that convey impulses between the brain and the body" is from 1606. Fig. sense of "feeling, courage" is first attested 1601; that of "courage, boldness" is from 1809; "impudence, cheek" is 1887. Nerves "nervousness" is attested from 1839; to get on someone's nerves is from 1903. War of nerves "psychological warfare" is from 1940. Nervy "full of courage" is from 1882.

nervous --- c.1400, "affecting the sinews," from L. nervosus "sinewy, vigorous," from nervus "sinew, nerve" (see nerve). Sense of "of or belonging to the nerves" in the modern sense is from 1665. Meaning "suffering disorder of the nervous system" is from 1734; illogical sense "restless, agitated, lacking nerve" is 1740. Widespread popular use as a euphemism for mental forced the medical community to coin neurological to replace it in the older sense. Nervous wreck first attested 1899.

nesh --- tender, delicate, weak, now only a Northern England dialect word, from O.E. hnesce "soft in texture" (cognate with early modern Du. nesch, Goth. hnasqus), of unknown origin.

-ness --- suffix of action, quality or state, attached to an adj. or pp. to form a noun, from O.E. -nes(s), general W.Gmc., cf. M.Du. -nisse, O.H.G. -nissa, Ger. -nis, Goth. -inassus.

ness --- obsolete except in place names, is O.E. næs "a promontory," related to nasu "nose" (see nose).

nest (n.) --- O.E. nest "bird's nest, snug retreat," from P.Gmc. *nistaz (cf. M.L.G., M.Du., Ger. nest), from PIE *nizdo- (cf. Skt. nidah "resting place, nest," L. nidus "nest," O.C.S. gnezdo, O.Ir. net, Welsh nyth, Bret. nez "nest"), probably from *ni "down" + *sed- "sit." Used since M.E. in ref. to various accumulations of things (e.g. a nest of drawers, early 18c.). The verb is O.E. nistan, from P.Gmc. *nistijanan. Nest egg "retirement savings" is from 1700, originally "a real or artificial egg left in a nest to induce the hen to go on laying there" (1606).

nestle --- O.E. nestlian "build a nest," from nest (see nest). Figurative sense of "settle (oneself) comfortably, snuggle" is first recorded 1547.

nestling --- 1399, "bird too young to leave the nest," from nest (q.v.) + dim. suffix -ling.

Nestor --- name for "old king renowned for wise counsel," 1588, from Gk., name of the aged and wise hero in the "Iliad." In Church history, a Nestorian (1449) is a follower of Nestorius, 5c. patriarch of Constantinople, whose doctrine attributed distinct divine and human persons to Christ and was condemned as heresy.

net (adj.) --- remaining after deductions, 1520, from earlier sense of "trim, elegant, clean, neat" (c.1300), from O.Fr. net "clean, pure, bright" (from the same source as neat, q.v.), meaning infl. by It. netto "remaining after deductions." The verb in the sense of "to gain as a net sum" is first recorded 1758.

net (n.) --- O.E. net "mesh," from P.Gmc. *natjan (cf. O.N., Du. net, Swed. nät, O.H.G. nezzi, Ger. Netz, Goth. nati "net"), originally "something knotted," from PIE *ned- "to twist, knot" (cf. Skt. nahyati "binds, ties," L. nodus "knot").

nether --- O.E. niþera, neoþera "down, downwards, below, beneath," from P.Gmc. *nitheraz (cf. O.S. nithar, O.N. niðr, O.Fris. nither, Du. neder, Ger. nieder), comp. of PIE *ni- "down, below" (cf. Skt. ni "down," nitaram "downward," Gk. neiothen "from below," O.C.S. nizu "low, down"). Has been replaced in most senses by lower. The Netherlands formerly included Flanders and thus were equivalent geographically and etymologically to the Low Countries.

nettle --- O.E. netele, from P.Gmc. *natilon (cf. O.S. netila, M.Du. netele, Ger. Nessel, M.Da. nædlæ "nettle"), dim. of *naton, of unknown origin, perhaps from the same source as net (n.). The verb meaning "to beat with nettles" is from c.1440; nettled in fig. sense of "vexed, irritated" is from c.1400.

network (n.) --- net-like arrangement of threads, wires, etc., 1560, from net (n.) + work (n.). Extended sense of "any complex, interlocking system" is from 1839 (orig. in ref. to transport by rivers, canals, and railways). Meaning "broadcasting system of multiple transmitters" is from 1914; sense of "interconnected group of people" is from 1947. The verb, in ref. to computers, is from 1972; in ref. to persons, it is attested from 1980s.

Neufchatel --- type of soft, white cheese, c.1865, from Neufchâtel, small town in Normandy where it was first made.

neural --- pertaining to a nerve or nerves, from Gk. neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + adj. suffix -al.

neuralgia --- c.1830, from Gk. neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + -algia, from algos "pain." Perhaps infl. by Fr. névralgie (1801).

neuro- --- Gk. neuro-, comb. form of neuron "nerve," originally "sinew, tendon, cord, bowstring," also "strength, vigor," from PIE *sneurom (cf. L. nervus; see nerve).

neurology --- scientific study of the nervous system, 1681, from Mod.L. neurologia, from Mod.Gk. neurologia (1664), from neuro- (see neuro-) + -logia "study."

neuron --- a nerve cell with appendages, 1891, from Ger. Neuron, from Gk. neuron (see neuro-). Used earlier (1884) for "the spinal cord and brain."

neurosis --- 1776, "functional derangement arising from disorders of the nervous system," coined by Scot, physician William Cullen (1710-90) from Gk. neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + Mod.L. -osis "abnormal condition." Used in a general psychological sense since 1871; clinical use in psychiatry dates from 1923.

neurotic (adj.) --- 1775, "acting upon or stimulating the nerves," from Gk. neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + -otic, as in hypnotic. Sense of "affected by neurosis" is 1887. The noun meaning "a neurotic person" is from 1896.

neuter (adj.) --- 1398, of grammatical gender, "neither masculine nor feminine," from L. neuter, lit. "neither one nor the other," from ne- "not, no" (see un-) + uter "either (of two);" probably a loan-translation of Gk. oudeteros "neither, neuter." In 16c., it had the sense of "taking neither side, neutral." The verb is 1903, from the adj., originally in ref. to pet cats.