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   reduction

   /rɪˈdʌkʃn/

   noun

   • 1. the action or fact of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size: "talks on arms reduction" Similar depletioncutcuttingcutbackscaling downtrimmingslimming (down)pruningaxingchoppingcurtailmentlimitingeasinglighteningmoderationdilutionmitigationcommutingqualificationalleviationrelaxationabatementdemotiondowngradingloweringabasementhumblingdemeaningbelittlinghumiliationbringing lowOpposite promotion
   • ▪ the amount by which something is made smaller, less, or lower in price: "special reductions on knitwear" Similar lesseningloweringdecreasediminutionminimizingdiscountmarkdowndeduction(price) cutpullbackconcessionallowanceinformal:slashOpposite increaseenlargementincrease
   • ▪ the simplification of a subject or problem to a particular form in presentation or analysis: "the reduction of classical genetics to molecular biology"
   • ▪ the process of converting an amount from one denomination to a smaller one, or of bringing down a fraction to its lowest terms.
   • ▪ the halving of the number of chromosomes per cell that occurs at one of the two anaphases of meiosis.
   • 2. a thing that is made smaller or less in size or amount.
   • ▪ an arrangement of an orchestral score for piano or for a smaller group of performers.
   • ▪ a thick and concentrated liquid or sauce made by boiling.
   • ▪ a copy of a picture or photograph made on a smaller scale than the original.
   • 3. the action of remedying a dislocation or fracture by returning the affected part of the body to its normal position: "we must see if the fracture requires reduction"
   • 4. the process or result of reducing or being reduced: "the reaction is limited to reduction to the hydrocarbon"
   • 5. substitution of a sound which requires less muscular effort to articulate: "the process of vowel reduction"

   Word Origin late Middle English (denoting the action of bringing back): from Old French, or from Latin reductio(n-), from reducere ‘bring back, restore’ (see reduce). The sense development was broadly similar to that of reduce; sense 1 dates from the late 17th century.

   Scrabble Points: 12

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