GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  1.       
    Reduction (rḗ‑dŭkˈshŭn), n. [F. réduction, 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.”

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    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.

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    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.

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

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

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    6. (Chem. & Metal.) The act, process, or result of reducing7; as, “the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of an aldehyde into an alcohol”.

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

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    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.

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    Syn. -- Diminution; decrease; abatement; curtailment; subjugation; conquest; subjection.

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