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Reduction - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Reduction : (noun)
1: the act of decreasing or reducing something [syn: decrease,
diminution, step-down] [ant: increase]
2: any process in which electrons are added to an atom or ion
(as by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen); always occurs
accompanied by oxidation of the reducing agent [syn: reducing]
3: the act of reducing complexity [syn: simplification]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Reduction : \Re*duc"tion\ (r?*d?k"sh?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.
2. (Arith. & Alq.) The act or process of reducing. See
Reduce, v. t., 6. and To reduce an equation, To
reduce an expression, under Reduce, v. t.
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.
4. The process of making a copy of something, as a figure,
design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the
proper proportions. --Fairholt.
5. (Logic) The bringing of a syllogism in one of the
so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure.
6. (Chem. & Metal.) The act, process, or result of reducing;
as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of
aldehyde from alcohol.
7. (Med.) The operation of restoring a dislocated or
fractured part to its former place.
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.
Syn: Diminution; decrease; abatement; curtailment;
subjugation; conquest; subjection.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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