Re*duc"tion (r?*d?k"sh?n), 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.
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.
