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reduction

re·duc·tion [ ri dúkshən ] (plural re·duc·tions)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. reducing of something: the decreasing of something in size, number, extent, degree, or intensity

2. amount by which something is reduced: the amount by which something is made smaller or less

3. simplification: a simplification or condensation of something

4. smaller copy: a copy of something made on a smaller scale, e.g. a reduced photocopy

5. cooking thickened sauce: a sauce or stock that has been thickened by boiling off some of the liquid

6. mathematics making fraction simpler: the canceling of common factors in the numerator and denominator of a fraction

7. mathematics decimalization of fraction: the converting of a fraction into decimal form

8. cell biology 
Same as  meiosis (sense 1)


9. chemistry chemical reaction: a chemical reaction that brings about a gain in hydrogen, a loss of oxygen, or an increase in electrons

[15th century. Via French< Latin reduction-< past participle of reducere (see reduce)]

re·duc·tion·al adjective
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