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.
Phrases and idioms:
reduced 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.
Derivatives:
reducer n. reducible adj. reducibility n.
Etymology: ME in sense 'restore to original or proper position', f. L reducere reduct- (as RE-, ducere bring)