reductibilIty

[Eng. reduct, v.: -ibility.] The quality of being reducible; reduciblene . ( Ann andale.) re-duc-ti-ō ad ab-sür-dum (ta h), phrase. [Lat.=a reduction to an absurdity.] [ABSURDUM.] rě-duc-tion, subst . [Fr., from Lat. reductionem , acc us. of reductio , from reductus , pa. par. of reducо =to bring back, to reduce (q.v.); Sp. reduccion ; Ital. riduzione .] I. Ordinary Language : *1. Lit .: The act of bringing back or restoring. "For reduction of your majesty's realm of Ireland to the unity of the Church."-Burnet: Records, vol. ii., bk. ii., No. 34. 2. Figuratively : (1) The act or proce of reducing to any state or condition; the state of being reduced; as, the reduction of a substance to powder. (2) The act of reducing or bringing into subjection; conquest, subjugation; as, the reduction of a kingdom or fortre . (3) The act of reducing or diminishing in size, dimensions, value, quantity, force, .; diminution, reduction of forces. IMG:content-0334.png:[blocks in formation] fate, făt, färe, amidst, what, fall, (4) The amount, value, quantity, .. by which anything is reduced or le ened; as, He made a reduction of 5 per cent. (5) The act or proce of making a copy of a figure, map, plan, design, ., on a smaller scale than the original, but preserving the form and proportion [II. 4]. IMG:content-0335.png:[blocks in formation] 3. Astronomy : (1) The correction of observations for known errors of instruments, . (2) The collection of observations to obtain a general result. 4. Geom.: The operation of constructing a figure similar to a given figure, either greater, le , or equivalent. 5. Logic : The proce of bringing a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect moods to a mood in the first figure. 6. Chem.: The abstraction of an electro-negative element from a metallic or organic compound, as when the oxides of metals are reduced to the metallic state by the action of charcoal under the influence of heat; also applied to the addition of an electro-positive element to a compound, e. g . ethene oxide (C2H2O)+H2=ethylic alcohol (CHO); nitro-benzene, C6H5 (NO2)+3H2=aniline, CH(NH2) +2H2O. 7. Surg .: The operation of restoring a fractured or dislocated bone to its proper place or state.