Reduction

Reduction Re*duc"tion (r[-e]*d[u^]k"sh[u^]n), n. [F. r['e]duction, L. reductio. See {Reduce}.] 1. The act of reducing, or state of being reduced; conversion to a given state or condition; diminution; conquest; as, the reduction of a body to powder; the reduction of things to order; the reduction of the expenses of government; the reduction of a rebellious province. [1913 Webster]

2. (Arith. & Alg.) The act or process of reducing. See {Reduce}, v. t., 6. and {To reduce an equation}, {To reduce an expression}, under {Reduce}, v. t. [1913 Webster]

3. (Astron.) (a) The correction of observations for known errors of instruments, etc. (b) The preparation of the facts and measurements of observations in order to deduce a general result. [1913 Webster]

4. The process of making a copy of something, as a figure, design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the proper proportions. --Fairholt. [1913 Webster]

5. (Logic) The bringing of a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure. [1913 Webster]

6. (Chem. & Metal.) The act, process, or result of reducing[7]; as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of an aldehyde into an alcohol. [1913 Webster]

7. (Med.) The operation of restoring a dislocated or fractured part to its former place. [1913 Webster]

{Reduction ascending} (Arith.), the operation of changing numbers of a lower into others of a higher denomination, as cents to dollars.

{Reduction descending} (Arith.), the operation of changing numbers of a higher into others of a lower denomination, as dollars to cents. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Diminution; decrease; abatement; curtailment; subjugation; conquest; subjection. [1913 Webster]