A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Neuter, a. Also: neutre, newter. [ME. neutre (1398 in sense 1), e.m.E. neuter (1525 in sense 2), newter, F. neutre (14th c.) or L. neuter neither.]
1. As a grammatical term. a. Of verbs: Intransitive. b. Of nouns and adjs.: Neuter.a. c1505-8 Donatus 1 b.
How mony participillis cumis fra a verb neuter? —b. 1531 Vaus 2.
The neutre gener it declinis with this ane article hoc alanerly
2. Neutral, taking neither side in a dispute or controversy; pacific, not given to faction or dispute.1494 Loutfut MS. 17 b.
A man of peice … humble & benyng and neutre 1659-60 A. Hay Diary 203.
Ther wold be no fighting becaus … the city of London was newter 1705 Annandale Corr. 219.
He always set up for a newter or balsamike man
b. In the phrases to carry oneself a (as) neuter, behave oneself as, or to stand, neuters.a1639 Spotsw. Hist. 150.
Sir James Sandelands … who had carried himself as neuter in all these broils Ib. 205.
The greater part of the nobility being either enemies or behaving themselves as neuters c1650 Spalding II. 93.
The Protestantis in a greater pairt will joyne with ws or stand neuteris 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 133.
Who would make a strong party and stand neuters or join with either 1667 Highland P. II. 65.
He caried himself a newter, not carieing armes with ayther of the parties
