rɪˈdju:s v. 1 tr. & intr.
make or
become smaller or
less. 2 tr. (foll. by to)
bring by force or
necessity (to
some undesirable state or action) (reduced
them to tears;
were reduced to begging). 3 tr.
convert to
another (esp. simpler)
form (reduced it to a powder). 4 tr. convert (a fraction) to
the form
with the lowest terms. 5 tr. (foll. by to) bring or
simplify or
adapt by classification or
analysis (the
dispute may be reduced to
three issues). 6 tr. make lower in
status or rank. 7 tr. lower the
price of. 8 intr.
lessen one's
weight or size. 9 tr.
weaken (is in a
very reduced state). 10 tr.
impoverish. 11 tr.
subdue; bring
back to
obedience. 12 Chem. intr. & tr. a
combine or
cause to combine with
hydrogen. b
undergo or cause to undergo
addition of electrons. 13 tr. Chem. convert (oxide etc.) to
metal. 14 tr. a (in surgery)
restore (a dislocated etc. part) to
its proper position. b
remedy (a
dislocation etc.) in
this way. 15 tr. Photog. make (a
negative or print) less
dense. 16 tr.
Cookery boil
off excess liquid from. øreduced circumstances
poverty after relative prosperity. reduce to the ranks
demote (an NCO) to the rank of
private. reducing
agent Chem. a
substance that brings
about reduction by oxidation
and losing electrons. øøreducer n. reducible adj. reducibility n. [ME in
sense 'restore to
original or proper position', f. L reducere reduct(as
RE-, ducere bring)]
