reduce

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   narrow or limit

   reduce the influx of foreigners

2. 2
   verb

   cook until very little liquid is left

   The cook reduced the sauce by boiling it for a long time

3. 3
   verb

   be cooked until very little liquid is left

   The sauce should reduce to one cup

4. 4
   verb

   make smaller

   reduce an image

5. 5
   verb

   reduce in size

   reduce physically

6. 6
   verb

   make less complex

   reduce a problem to a single question

7. 7
   verb

   undergo meiosis

   The cells reduce

8. 8
   verb

   lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation

   They reduced their children to servants.

Etymology

From Middle English reducen, from Old French reduire, from Latin redūcō (“reduce”); from re- (“back”) + dūcō (“lead”). See duke, and compare with redoubt.