-alis

of, relating to

Forms

-alis
-aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
-al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
-ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

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adjective / noun

neutral

NOO-trul/ˈnuːtrəl/

Not characterized by either of two opposing qualities.

The referee stays neutral and favors neither of the players.

An impartial referee stands exactly between two opposing players with both palms open equally, neither side favored, no team logos.

Etymology

neutrLatinneither of two

+alLatinof, relating to

Neuter supplies the idea of ‘neither of two’: a neutral participant supports neither opposing side. This nonpartisan use probably reflects a similar meaning already present in Medieval Latin neutralis.

In context

IIEA11:01

we weren't neutral. We were very very much on the side of the the Western and the NATO and and the Atlantic countries.

Is Ireland Neutral? – YPN with Conor Gallagher

More examples

The negotiators choose a neutral to oversee the talks.
Pure water is neutral, neither acidic nor alkaline.
His neutral reply expresses neither approval nor disapproval.

Forms

neutral · neutrals · more neutral · most neutral

neutrality noun — The state of not favoring either side.

Similar words

impartial: Emphasizes fair judgment rather than simply taking no side.
nonaligned: Usually describes countries outside competing political or military alliances.