/
ˈnʌɪðə,
ˈniː-/
det.
&
pron.
not the one nor the other of two people or things; not either.
adv.
- used before the first of two (or occasionally more) alternatives (the others being introduced by ‘nor’) to indicate that they are each untrue or each do not happen.
- used to introduce a further negative statement.
Usage
When neither is followed by nor, it is important in good English style that the two halves of the structure mirror each other: she saw herself as neither wife nor mother rather than she neither saw herself as wife nor mother. See also usage at either.
Etymology
ME: alt. (by assoc. with either) of OE nawther, contr. of nāhwæther (from nā ‘no’ + hwæther ‘whether’).