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reduced - 3 dictionary results

re⋅duced

  [ri-doost, -dyoost]
Use reduced in a Sentence
–adjective
1. that is or has been reduced.
2. Mathematics. noting a polynomial equation in which the second highest power is missing: The cubic equation x 3 − 4x + 4 = 0 is reduced.
Origin:
1620–30; reduce + -ed 2

re⋅duce

  [ri-doos, -dyoos] verb, -duced, -duc⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to bring down to a smaller extent, size, amount, number, etc.: to reduce one's weight by 10 pounds.
2. to lower in degree, intensity, etc.: to reduce the speed of a car.
3. to bring down to a lower rank, dignity, etc.: a sergeant reduced to a corporal
4. to treat analytically, as a complex idea.
5. to lower in price.
6. to bring to a certain state, condition, arrangement, etc.: to reduce glass to powder.
7. to bring under control or authority.
8. Cookery. to evaporate water from (a sauce, soup, or other liquid), usually by boiling.
9. Photography. to lessen the density of (an exposed negative).
10. to adjust or correct by making allowances, as an astronomical observation.
11. Mathematics. to change the denomination or form, but not the value, of (a fraction, polynomial, etc.).
12. Chemistry.
a. to add electrons to.
b. to deoxidize.
c. to add hydrogen to.
d. to change (a compound) so that the valence of the positive element is lower.
13. Chemistry, Metallurgy. to bring into the metallic state by separating from nonmetallic constituents.
14. to thin or dilute: to reduce paint with oil or turpentine.
15. to lower the alcoholic concentration of (spirits) by diluting with water.
16. Surgery. to restore to the normal place, relation, or condition, as a fractured bone.
17. Phonetics. to modify the quality of (a speech sound) to one of lesser distinctiveness, esp. to pronounce (an unstressed vowel) as (ə) or another centralized vowel, as in the unstressed syllables of medicinal.
–verb (used without object)
18. to become reduced.
19. to become lessened, esp. in weight.
20. to be turned into or made to equal something: All our difficulties reduce to financial problems.
21. Cell Biology. to undergo meiosis.
Origin:
1325–75; ME reducen to lead back < L redūcere to lead back, bring back, equiv. to re- re- + dūcere to lead

Synonyms:
1. diminish, decrease, shorten, abridge, curtail, contract, retrench. 1, 2. lessen, attenuate, abate. 3. degrade, demote, humble. 7. subdue, subjugate, conquer, subject, vanquish, overcome, overpower.

Antonyms:
1. increase. 3. elevate, exalt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reduced
re·duce   (rĭ-dōōs', -dyōōs')   
v.   re·duced, re·duc·ing, re·duc·es

v.   tr.
  1. To bring down, as in extent, amount, or degree; diminish. See Synonyms at decrease.
  2. To bring to a humbler, weaker, difficult, or forced state or condition; especially:
    1. To gain control of; conquer: "a design to reduce them under absolute despotism" (Declaration of Independence).
    2. To subject to destruction: Enemy bombers reduced the city to rubble.
    3. To weaken bodily: was reduced almost to emaciation.
    4. To sap the spirit or mental energy of.
    5. To compel to desperate acts: The Depression reduced many to begging on street corners.
    6. To lower in rank or grade. See Synonyms at demote.
    7. To powder or pulverize.
    8. To thin (paint) with a solvent.
    9. To decrease the valence of (an atom) by adding electrons.
    10. To remove oxygen from (a compound).
    11. To add hydrogen to (a compound).
    12. To change to a metallic state by removing nonmetallic constituents; smelt.
  3. To lower the price of: The store has drastically reduced winter coats.
  4. To put in order or arrange systematically.
  5. To separate into orderly components by analysis.
  6. Chemistry
    1. To decrease the valence of (an atom) by adding electrons.
    2. To remove oxygen from (a compound).
    3. To add hydrogen to (a compound).
    4. To change to a metallic state by removing nonmetallic constituents; smelt.
  7. Mathematics To simplify the form of (an expression, such as a fraction) without changing the value.
  8. Medicine To restore (a fractured or displaced body part) to a normal condition or position.
v.   intr.
  1. To become diminished.
  2. To lose weight, as by dieting.
  3. Biology To undergo meiosis.

[Middle English reducen, to bring back, from Old French reducier, from Latin redūcere : re-, re- + dūcere, to lead; see deuk- in Indo-European roots.]
re·duc'er n., re·duc'i·bil'i·ty n., re·duc'i·ble adj., re·duc'i·bly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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