1480, "the neutral party in any dispute," from M.Fr. neutralite, from M.L. neutralitatem (nom. neutralitas), from L. neutralis (see neutral). Introduced in Fr. 14c. by Jean Froissart. Meaning "a neutral attitude" is from 1494.
Armed\, a. 1. Furnished with weapons of offense or defense; furnished with the means of security or protection. "And armed host." --Dryden. 2. Furnished with whatever serves to add strength, force, or efficiency. A distemper eminently armed from heaven. --De Foe. 3. (Her.) Having horns, beak, talons, etc; -- said of beasts and birds of prey. Armed at all points (Blazoning), completely incased in armor, sometimes described as armed cap-[`a]-pie. --Cussans. Armed en flute. (Naut.) See under Flute. Armed magnet, a magnet provided with an armature. Armed neutrality. See under Neutrality.
Neu*tral"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. neutralit['e].]1. The state or quality of being neutral; the condition of being unengaged in contests between others; state of taking no part on either side; indifference. Men who possess a state of neutrality in times of public danger, desert the interest of their fellow subjects. --Addison. 2. Indifference in quality; a state neither very good nor bad. [Obs.] --Donne. 3. (Chem.) The quality or state of being neutral. See Neutral, a., 4. 4. (International Law) The condition of a nation or government which refrains from taking part, directly or indirectly, in a war between other powers. 5. Those who are neutral; a combination of neutral powers or states. Armed neutrality, the condition of a neutral power, in time of war, which holds itself ready to resist by force any aggression of either belligerent.
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