neutralization

英[,njuːtrəlaɪ'zeɪʃən] 美[lɪ'zːtrəlaɪ'zeʃən]

1. a chemical reaction in which an acid and a base interact with the formation of a salt; with strong acids and bases the essential reaction is the combination of hydrogen ions with hydroxyl ions to form water

2. action intended to keep a country politically neutral or exclude it from a possible war;

"the neutralization of Belgium"

3. (euphemism) the removal of a threat by killing or destroying it (especially in a covert operation or military operation)

4. action intended to nullify the effects of some previous action