I. rə̇ˈdəktiv, rēˈ-, -tēv also -təv adjective
Etymology: reduct ion + -ive
1. : of, relating to, characterized by, or causing diminution or curtailment : reducing
their views of life were … reductive and depreciatory — R.H.Rovere
especially : of or relating to psychological reduction (as of emotional tension)
2. : of, relating to, or advocating analytical reduction or reductionism : reductionistic
the attempt to squeeze these data, with all their variegated content, into the limited perspectives of one science … must always lead to reductive distortion — J.D.Wild
3. : of or relating to conversion or processing into another form
• re·duc·tive·ly -tə̇vlē adverb
II. noun
( -s )
: a reductive agent