Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Capable of being reduced: Describes something that can be made smaller, less complex, or brought to a simpler or more basic form.
   • Capable of undergoing reduction: In scientific contexts, particularly chemistry, it describes a substance that can undergo a chemical reduction, a process involving the gain of electrons.
   • Capable of being simplified or converted: In mathematics and logic, it describes an expression, equation, or problem that can be simplified or converted into a different, often more fundamental, form.

Usage Examples

• General:
  • The complex argument was reducible to a few key points.
  • The company's expenses are reducible if we eliminate unnecessary travel.
• Scientific:
  • Iron oxide is a reducible compound in the presence of carbon monoxide.
• Mathematical:
  • This fraction is reducible to its simplest terms.
  • The problem was reducible to a linear equation.

Advanced Usage

• "reducible to": This common phrase indicates that a complex concept, system, or argument can be simplified, explained, or understood in terms of a more basic principle or set of principles.
  • Her theory posits that all human motivation is reducible to the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain.
• In topology, a reducible manifold is one that can be decomposed in a specific, non-trivial way.

Variants and Related Words

• Reduce (verb): To make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size; to bring to a simpler or more basic form.
  • We need to reduce our energy consumption.
• Reduction (noun): The act or process of reducing; the amount by which something is reduced.
  • The reduction in staff was necessary for the company's survival.
• Irreducible (adjective): Not able to be reduced or simplified further.
  • This is an irreducible minimum requirement.
• Reducibility (noun): The quality or state of being reducible.

Synonyms

• Simplifiable: Capable of being made simpler.
• Decreasable: Capable of being made less in size or amount.
• Contractible: Capable of being made smaller or drawn together.

Antonyms

• Irreducible: Not capable of being reduced or simplified.
• Increasable: Capable of being made greater.
• Nonreducible: Not reducible.

Adjective

1. capable of being reduced
   • reducible to a set of principles of human nature- Edmund Wilson