neutral

Where does the word "neutral" come from? It comes from Latin neutralis, passing through French before entering English (1400s).

Neutral’s story begins in Latin: neutralis meant “of neither kind.” From 'neuter', neither. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in French as neutre. First used in English in the 1540s in alchemy, and of states refusing to take sides in a war. It reached English by 1400s as neutral. Neutral countries in war date from the 1500s. Today, neutral means not supporting either side.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient neutralis "of neither kind", from 'neuter', neither.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1400s neutre "neutral", first used in English in the 1540s in alchemy, and of states refusing to take sides in a war.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s neutral "neither", neutral countries in war date from the 1500s.