1759, "to render neutral" (in a chemical sense), from Fr. neutraliser, from neutral (see neutral). Meaning "to counterbalance, to kill by opposing" is from 1795.
neutralizeAudio Help (n'trə-līz') Pronunciation Key
To cause an acidic solution to become neutral by adding a base to it or to cause a basic solution to become neutral by adding an acid to it. Salt and water are usually formed in the process.
Main Entry: neu·tral·ize Variant: also Britishneu·tral·ise/'n(y)ü-tr&-"lIz/ Function: verb Inflected Forms:
-izedalso British-ised; -iz·ingalso British-is·ing transitive senses 1: to make chemically neutral 2 a: to counteract the activity or effect of : make ineffective b: to counteract the refractive power of (a lens) by combining it with one or more other
lenses 3: to make electrically inert by combining equal positive and negative quantities neutralizeintransitive senses : to undergo neutralization
—neu·tral·iz·eralso Britishneu·tral·is·ernoun
Neu"tral*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Neutralized; p. pr. & vb. n. Neutralizing.] [Cf. F. neutraliser.]1. To render neutral; to reduce to a state of neutrality. So here I am neutralized again. --Sir W. Scott. 2. (Chem.) To render inert or imperceptible the peculiar affinities of, as a chemical substance; to destroy the effect of; as, to neutralize an acid with a base. 3. To destroy the peculiar or opposite dispositions of; to reduce to a state of indifference inefficience; to counteract; as, to neutralize parties in government; to neutralize efforts, opposition, etc. Counter citations that neutralize each other. --E. Everett.
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Audio Help [noo-truh-lahyz, nyoo-] Pronunciation Key verb, -ized, -iz·ing. 
'trə-līz') Pronunciation Key
