re|duce

re|duce «rih DOOS, -DYOOS», verb, -duced, -duc|ing.

–v.t.

1. to make less; make smaller; decrease: »

We have reduced expenses this year. She is trying to reduce her weight.

SYNONYM(S): lessen, diminish.

2. to make lower, as in degree or intensity; weaken; dilute.

3. to bring down; lower: »

Misfortune reduced that poor woman to begging.

SYNONYM(S): humble, debase, degrade.

4. to bring to a different condition; change: »

The teacher soon reduced the noisy class to order. I was reduced to tears by the cruel words.

5. to change to another form without altering basic substance or value: »

to reduce a statement to writing. The chalk was reduced to powder. If you reduce 3 ft., 6 in. to inches, you have 42 inches.

6. to bring under control; conquer; subdue: »

The army reduced the fort by a sudden attack.

7. to restore to its proper place or normal condition; set: »

A doctor can reduce a fracture or dislocation.

8. Chemistry. a) to combine with hydrogen. b) to remove oxygen from. c) to change (atoms or ions) to a lower valence by the gain of electrons.

9. Mathematics. to simplify (an expression, fraction, formula, or function).

10. = smelt: (Cf. ↑smelt) »

to reduce the ores of silver or copper.

11. Biology. to bring about meiosis in (a cell).

12. to thin (paint) with oil or turpentine.

13. to treat (a photographic negative) to make less dense.

14. Astronomy. to correct (observations) by making allowances.

–v.i.

to become less; be made less; become less in weight: »

His doctor advised him to reduce.

╂[< Latin redūcere < re- back + dūcere bring, lead]