- neutral
- c.1449 as a noun, "one who remains neutral," from M.Fr. neutral, from L. neutralis "of neuter gender," from neuter (see neuter). The adj. sense of "not taking sides in a fight" is 1549, probably from a similar meaning in M.L. Meaning "disengaged position in gear mechanisms" is from 1912. Neutral corner (1952) is from boxing.