英文字典中文字典Word104.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Neutral \Neu"tral\, a. [L. neutralis, fr. neuter. See {Neuter}.]
1. Not engaged on either side; not taking part with or
assisting either of two or more contending parties;
neuter; indifferent.
[1913 Webster]

The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but
constantly takes part one way or the other.
--Shaftesbury.
[1913 Webster]

2. Neither good nor bad; of medium quality; middling; not
decided or pronounced.
[1913 Webster]

Some things good, and some things ill, do seem,
And neutral some, in her fantastic eye. --Sir J.
Davies.
[1913 Webster]

3. (Biol.) Neuter. See {Neuter}, a., 3.
[1913 Webster]

4. (Chem.) Having neither acid nor basic properties; unable
to turn red litmus blue or blue litmus red; -- said of
certain salts or other compounds. Contrasted with {acid},
and {alkaline}.
[1913 Webster]

{Neutral axis}, {Neutral surface} (Mech.), that line or
plane, in a beam under transverse pressure, at which the
fibers are neither stretched nor compressed, or where the
longitudinal stress is zero. See {Axis}.

{Neutral equilibrium} (Mech.), the kind of equilibrium of a
body so placed that when moved slighty it neither tends to
return to its former position not depart more widely from
it, as a perfect sphere or cylinder on a horizontal plane.


{Neutral salt} (Chem.), a salt formed by the complete
replacement of the hydrogen in an acid or base; in the
former case by a positive or basic, in the latter by a
negative or acid, element or radical.

{Neutral tint}, a bluish gray pigment, used in water colors,
made by mixing indigo or other blue some warm color. the
shades vary greatly.

{Neutral vowel}, the vowel element having an obscure and
indefinite quality, such as is commonly taken by the vowel
in many unaccented syllables. It is regarded by some as
identical with the [u^] in up, and is called also the
{natural vowel}, as unformed by art and effort; it is also
called the {indefinite vowel}. It is symbolized in some
phonetic alphabets by the {schwa} ([schwa]). See Guide to
Pronunciation, [sect] 17.
[1913 Webster]


Neutral \Neu"tral\, n.
A person or a nation that takes no part in a contest between
others; one who is neutral.
[1913 Webster]

The neutral, as far as commerce extends, becomes a
party in the war. --R. G.
Harper.
[1913 Webster]


Colorless \Col"or*less\, a.
1. Without color; not distinguished by any hue; transparent;
as, colorless water; a colorless gas.

Note: [Narrower terms: {ashen, bloodless, livid, lurid, pale,
pallid, pasty, wan, waxen}; {neutral}; {white}] [Also
See: {achromatic}, {colorless}.]
[1913 Webster WordNet 1.5]

2. Free from any manifestation of partial or peculiar
sentiment or feeling; not disclosing likes, dislikes,
prejudice, etc.; as, colorless music; a colorless style;
definitions should be colorless.
[1913 Webster]

3. having lost its normal color.

Note: [Narrower terms: {blanched, etiolate, etiolated,
whitened}; {bleached, faded, washed-out, washy};
{dimmed, dulled, grayed}; {dirty}; {dull, sober,
somber, subfusc}] {colored}

Syn: colorless, uncolored, uncoloured.
[WordNet 1.5 PJC]