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simplify

 - 3 dictionary results

sim⋅pli⋅fy

[sim-pluh-fahy]
–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy⋅ing.
to make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier: to simplify a problem.

Origin:
1645–55; < F simplifier < ML simplificāre to make simple, equiv. to L simpli- (comb. form of simplus simple ) + -ficāre -fy


sim⋅pli⋅fi⋅ca⋅tion, noun
sim⋅pli⋅fi⋅ca⋅tive, adjective
sim⋅pli⋅fi⋅er, sim⋅pli⋅fi⋅ca⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To simplify
sim·pli·fy   (sĭm'plə-fī')   
tr.v.   sim·pli·fied, sim·pli·fy·ing, sim·pli·fies
To make simple or simpler, as:
a. To reduce in complexity or extent.

[French simplifier, from Old French, from Medieval Latin simplificāre : Latin simplus, simple; see simple + Latin -ficāre, -fy.]
sim'pli·fi·ca'tion (-fĭ-kā'shən) n., sim'pli·fi'er n.
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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Word Origin & History

simplify 
1653, from Fr. simplifier "to make simpler" (15c.), from M.L. simplificare "to simplify," from L. simplex "simple" (see simplex) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Meaning "to make easier to do" is from 1759.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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