Reduction /(rē̇*dŭk"shŭn)/

Re·duc·tion

Reduction

n.
  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. The act or process of reducing. See Reduce, v. t., 6. and To reduce an equation, To reduce an expression, under Reduce, v. t. (Arith. & Alg.)
  3. The correction of observations for known errors of instruments, etc. (Astron.)
  4. The process of making a copy of something, as a figure, design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the proper proportions.
  5. The bringing of a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure. (Logic)
  6. The act, process, or result of reducing{7}; as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of an aldehyde into an alcohol. (Chem. & Metal.)
  7. The operation of restoring a dislocated or fractured part to its former place. (Med.)

Phrases & Compounds
Reduction ascending
the operation of changing numbers of a lower into others of a higher denomination, as cents to dollars.
Reduction descending
the operation of changing numbers of a higher into others of a lower denomination, as dollars to cents.