reducibleadj.
/rᵻˈdjuːsᵻbl/, /rᵻˈdʒuːsᵻbl/, U.S. /rəˈd(j)usəb(ə)l/, /riˈd(j)usəb(ə)l/ 1.
a. That may be brought, altered, or converted into another (esp. a simpler) form; (in later use also) that may be expressed or interpreted in terms of another (esp. simpler) concept, model, etc. Frequently with to or (now less commonly) into.Now rarely used with reference to material objects or substances.
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the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > [adjective] > of or relating to named chemical reactions or processes > reducing > capable of being reduced to a simpler form
reducible?a1425
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 20v (MED) Naturale bolnyngez of þe heued..in which is none superflue mater, as humorale or reducible [L. reducibilis] to humour.
?c1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (Paris) (1971) 79 (MED) Wher so euer swellynge withoute kynde is founden of any humoural or reducyble mater oned in a membre, þere is aposteme.
c1456 R. Pecock Bk. Faith (Trin. Cambr.) (1909) 126 (MED) The leernyng and knowing of ech treuthe and conclusioun of feith muste nedis be hadde and gete bi..a sillogisme; or bi sum other reducible into a sillogisme.
1647 J. Howell New Vol. of Lett. 140 In the new world..there is no root, flower, fruits or pulse but is reducible to a potable liquor.
1666 R. Boyle Origine Formes & Qualities 339 A salt easily reducible..into Chrystalline Grains.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 465 Thus reducible to Trochaics.
1706 W. Jones Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos 128 All Quadratic Equations are reducible to one of these Forms.
1777 J. Priestley Doctr. Philos. Necessity 182 Complex reasoning is all reducible to acts of simple judgment.
1837 H. Hallam Introd. Lit. Europe I. i. 31 The words..seem reducible, with a little emendation, to short verses.
1879 W. Thomson & P. G. Tait Treat. Nat. Philos. (new ed.) I: Pt. i. 262 The centrifugal forces either balance or are reducible to a single force.
1881 St. G. Mivart Cat 253 Nervous tissue is reducible into water.
1932 C. I. Lewis & C. H. Langford Symbolic Logic ix. 282 Functions like this one, which can be expressed in equivalent form by means of functions of a lower degree of generality, will be said to be reducible.
1934 Mod. Psychologist June 29/1 To them [sc. modern physicists], space, matter, facts, events, are all reducible to consciousness, to mind-stuff.
1943 Mind 52 264 The ‘logistical thesis’ that mathematics is reducible to logic.
1966 Listener 25 Aug. 282/1 Mr Lodge carefully demolishes the view that the novel is reducible to its paraphrasable and translatable content.
2008 N.Y. Post (Nexis) 30 Mar. 24 A man's life is reducible to this: ‘Stud, Dud, Thud’.
b. Chiefly Chemistry. Usually without construction. That can be converted, decomposed, or refined into components or a simpler substance; (also) that can be chemically reduced. Cf. reduce v. 17.
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the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > [adjective] > relating to roots
reducible1585
primitive1879
radical1897
the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [adjective] > relating to expressions > involving specific number of terms > of a polynomial
reducible1585
monic1937
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > numerical arrangement > [adjective] > of sets > in abstract algebra > of groups
reducible1585
transitive1861
primitive1888
simple1888
special1888
cyclic1889
intransitive1889
solvable1892
finite1893
perfect1898
Abelian1900
soluble1902
proper1906
trivial1915
equivalent1948
hypercyclic1968
sporadic1968
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical reactions or processes > [adjective] > of or relating to named chemical reactions or processes > reducing > capable of being reduced
reducible1842
1585 R. Bostocke Difference Auncient & Latter Phisicke sig. Eiiiv They are not reducible into metall againe, but bee volatill spirits.
a1690 S. Jeake Λογιστικηλογία (1696) 299 Square Surdes..not thus reducible..are to be joyned together with the sign..+.
1755 W. Lewis in Philos. Trans. 1754 (Royal Soc.) 48 640 All are reducible..into powder.
1759 R. Dossie Inst. Exper. Chem. I. 230 The organical earth..is more reducible to a pure state.
1842 E. A. Parnell Elements Chem. Anal. (1845) 263 Metals whose compounds are reducible with soda on charcoal in the reducing flame.
1884 W. H. Greenwood Steel & Iron vi. 93 These silicates (which are only reducible with difficulty).
1957 G. E. Hutchinson Treat. Limnol. I. xi. 707 Some of both oxidizable and reducible iron was no doubt in organic combination.
1976 Nature 15 Jan. 147/1 These bulk membranes, being less dense than water, separated aqueous reducing agents and potentially reducible substrates.
2007 Catalysis Today 109 94 Drastic changes in the kinetic features of Pd were found after deposition on reducible LaCoO3 materials in comparison with alumina.
c. Mathematics. Of a polynomial: capable of being factorized into two or more polynomials of lower degree. Of a group: expressible as the direct product of two of its subgroups.
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1883 Analyst 10 97 This does not impair the generality in any case, every polynomial being reducible to this form by dividing it through by the algebraic sum of its coefficients.
1965 E. M. Patterson & D. E. Rutherford Elem. Abstr. Algebra iv. 126 If F is the field of real numbers, then the polynomial 2 − x2 over F is reducible, since √2 − x and √2 + x are factors.
1971 M. B. Powell & G. Higman Finite Simple Groups iii. 149 V is completely reducible, i.e., a direct sum of irreducible modules.
2007 Jrnl. Geom. & Physics 57 825 The characteristic polynomial of A(x) is reducible.
2. † a. That may be restored to a former state. Obsolete.Originally spec. with reference to restoring a person to righteousness: cf. reduce v. 6b.
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society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > [adjective] > reformed > able to be
recuperable?a1439
reformable?a1439
reduciblec1475
mendable1533
corrigible1583
reclaimable1583
redeemable1611
the world > action or operation > amending > restoration > [adjective] > restored > able to be
restorable1557
repairable1561
recoverablea1599
reducible1646
c1475 Mankind (1969) 834 (MED) The justyce of God wyll as I wyll, as hymsylfe doth precyse: Nolo mortem peccatoris, inquit, yff he wyll reducylle [altered to re redusyble; read be redusyble].
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iii. vi. 117 Once omitted or perverted..it is not reducible by any other whatsoever. View more context for this quotation
1663 Marquis of Worcester Cent. Names & Scantlings Inventions §13 Without blowing the Decks up, or destroying them from being reducible.
b. Surgery. That can be restored to a normal position. Cf. reduce v. 8.
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the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > treatments uniting or replacing parts > [adjective] > restored to position > that may be restored to position
reducible1743
1743 tr. L. Heister Gen. Syst. Surg. II. 60 When the Rupture is not attended with bad Symptoms, but is reducible, without any Division of the Sacculus; in that Case, the Integuments are to be divided, in such a Manner [etc.].
1756 P. Pott Treat. Ruptures ix. 157 When not reducible by the simple operation of the hand, it..becomes the object of a surgical operation.
1811 R. Hooper Quincy's Lexicon-medicum (new ed.) at Hernia When the hernial contents..admit of being readily put back into the abdomen, it is termed a reducible hernia.
1876 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. (ed. 2) I. xv. 605 When a hernia comes down into a sac and goes up again,..it is called reducible.
1927 Lancet 3 Sept. 502/2 These numbered in all 160 cases,..22 of reducible and strangulated hernia.
1998 Jrnl. Pediatr. Surg. 33 766 The herniated liver was only partially reducible because of intrathoracic adhesions.
3. † a. That may be referred or assigned to some other thing, or to a place or person. Obsolete.
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1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 170/1 Some..rule of oure liuing, whiche is also depending vppon faith & reducible therto.
1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1878) iii. xiv. ii. 97 Our yeare is counted after the course of the sunne, and although the church hath some vse of that of the moone..yet it is reducible to that of the sunne.
1648 T. Hill Spring of Grace 7 And she shall be utterly burned with fire, in whom was found the blood of Prophets, and of Saints, of all that were slain upon the earth (some way reducible to her, or her adherents).
1655 T. Fuller Hist. Univ. Cambr. ii. 28 in Church-hist. Brit. Brought up in Cambridge, but not reducible, with probability, to any Colledge now in being.
1661 R. Boyle Some Consider. Style of Script. (1675) 169 Wise men..will not easily lose good thoughts or good expressions, because they are not reducible to them.
1716 J. Willison Treat. conc. Sanctifying Lord's Day 141 Have an Eye to Christ in every Thing ye read, for he is the End, Scope and Substance of the whole Bible, and every Thing in it is reducible to him.
b. With to (formerly †into). That may be brought into conformity or agreement with a specified principle, system, etc.; that may be explained with reference to something.In later use frequently with colouring of sense 1a.
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the world > relative properties > order > [adjective] > reduced to order > able to be
reducible1625
reduceable1736
1625 T. Jackson Treat. Originall of Vnbeliefe xxxiv. 321 His arguments are all reducible to this common principle; That albeit every act of justice be not an act of Religion, yet every act of Religion..is an act of iustice.
1651 W. G. tr. J. Cowell Inst. Lawes Eng. 184 It is necessary that the thing sold be certain or reducible to certainty.
1668 M. Hale Pref. Rolle's Abridgm. bij The Common-Law is reducible into a competent method, as to the general Heads thereof.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 234. ⁋9 Our English Tongue..is the most determinate in its construction, and reducible to the fewest Rules.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. 4 Into some or all of these principles, all bodies are reducible by art, as well as nature.
1804 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. III. 420 There is no title in the English law reducible to a more technical system than the title of descent in fee simple.
1882 Mind 7 402 All realities are reducible to principles or terms of feeling.
1923 Mod. Lang. Jrnl. 7 315 The causes of change are found to be extremely varied, and hardly reducible to general principles.
1981 Ann. Amer. Acad. Polit. & Social Sci. 456 203/2 In their efforts to establish psychological phenomena as sui generis, not reducible to biological laws.
1999 D. Owen Hume's Reason (2004) iii. 60 This function of reason produces known propositions on the basis of other propositions, and it is not reducible to formal rules.
c. That may be assigned to or placed under (a specified number of) categories, heads, etc., or a single category, etc.
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1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre v. x. 246 These millions of miracles are reducible to one of these foure ranks.
1666 D. Coxe Let. 19 Jan. in R. Boyle Corr. (2001) III. 31 Of the first sort are Acid spiritts of Common Salt..and Even Spiritus vini ittselfe..is reducible to this classis.
1715 S. Switzer Nobleman, Gentleman, & Gardener's Recreation vii. 166 I find four or five Kinds of Forest Trees, reducible to this Class.
1763 in G. Lamoine Charge to Grand Jury (1992) 402 All other Injuries to the Person, are reducible under the general Head of Assaults.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. i. 18 Such items of anguish, only, as may be reducible to that specific class of ‘miseries’.
1867 Times 22 June 11/2 The process we have sketched, though not reducible under the head of bribery, would [etc.].
1880 Athenæum 20 Nov. 678/3 Musical instruments..are yet readily reducible under three distinct types: 1. The drum type; 2. The pipe type; 3. The lyre type.
1911 Times Engin. Suppl. 16 Aug. 1/3 All movements and processes employed in shaping them..are reducible to two elementary kinds—the linear and the circular.
1946 F. J. Sheed Theol. & Sanity xxiv. 290 The objects themselves..are reducible to two categories—they are according to God's Will for us or against.
2007 Gazette (Montreal) (Nexis) 1 Sept. b5 Today we recognize that each discipline may respond to reality in its own appropriate way, not reducible to merely physical categories.
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the mind > mental capacity > belief > [adjective] > capable of believing
reducible1639
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. ii. 170 Now it seemeth the Tartars are reducible with most facility to our religion.
1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. 111 There is no..Virtue, that is not reducible under the Standard of..Love.
5. That may be subdued, subjugated, pacified, etc.; that may be brought to obedience, order, etc. Cf. reduce v. 25.
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1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 162 The Committee..concluded that the Covenanters were no way reducible but by force.
1701 N. Grew Cosmol. Sacra iii. vi. 130 Neither would he have made Man, a Creature reducible unto all Obedience; but that he intended to prove and conduct him, by a Suitable Power.
1829 E. Griffith et al. Cuvier's Animal Kingdom VIII. 170 They are just as easily reducible to the subjection and use of man.
1884 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. vii. 242 Poitiers was neither reduced nor reducible by any force the royalist seigneurs had at their command.
1906 E. M. Cesaresco Psychol. & Training of Horse 334 In our countries the entires are rarely reducible to obedience, and for this reason are not suited for the purpose of riding.
1992 E. H. Peterson Under Unpredictable Plant (1994) ii. ii. 68 It [sc. God's will] is a wild and extravagant energy, not reducible to human control.
6. Scots Law. Of a deed, contract, decree, etc.: that may be annulled by a court.
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society > law > rule of law > illegality > [adjective] > legally invalid or faulty > annulled or abrogated > able to be
voidable1485
repealable1570
reversable1581
countermandablea1626
reducible1656
annullable1675
avoidablea1677
elidable1687
quashable1705
nullablea1718
1656 in J. A. Clyde Hope's Major Practicks (1938) II. 138 That a decreet of improbation given against a minor of six years not compearand was not reducible.
a1699 J. Fraser Lawfulness Separation from Corrupt Ministers (1744) 49 A title, action, or thing in law, tho' reducible, yet stands actually irreduced in civil things, until it be forensically reduced.
1744 D. Falconer Decisions 28 Supposing the Deeds reducible of their own Nature, they must be supported from the Pursuer's Consent.
1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. i. vii. 100 No deed, granted with consent of the interdictors, is reducible.
1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scotl. 832 All deeds executed by a minor..are reducible on the head of minority and lesion.
1888 Ld. Watson in Law Times Rep. 59 4/2 To determine whether the marriage contract is reducible.
1900 Glasgow Herald 20 June 11/8 The defenders..denied that the estate was insolvent or that the assignation was reducible.
1991 A. G. Guest Chalmers's Bills of Exchange (ed. 14) 285 In Scots law, a contract is void and reducible if one party's consent was given under the influence of force and fear imposed by the other party.
7. That may be lessened in number, amount, extent, etc.
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the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > able to be decreased
reducible1741
diminishable1782
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. lvii. 370 The Number of the old ones will be always reducible..in a greater Proportion, than the new ones will increase.
1806 Times 24 Oct. 3/3 The tube of the chimney is reducible to so small a size, that the escape of the smoke into the apartment is impossible.
1852 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. (ed. 3) iii. xviii. §8. 365 These two influencing circumstances are in reality reducible to one.
1929 Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, Minnesota) 18 July 2/4 To establish first a high quality of merchandise and then..make the price reducible, without in any way cutting down the relative quality.
1963 Philos. Q. 13 178 75 logical laws..are introduced..with little hint that they are in any way logically interrelated or reducible in number.
2005 Record (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.) (Nexis) 8 Oct. a16 It is from this surplus—this eminently reducible surplus—that the Liberals are proposing to reward us.
Derivatives
reˈducibleness n. now rare.
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the world > matter > chemistry > chemical properties > [noun] > capability of being converted to another form
reducibleness1661
reducibility1676
the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > [noun] > subtraction > quality of being reduced
reducibleness1854
1661 R. Boyle Sceptical Chymist in Wks. (1999) II. 313 'Tis not unlikely, but that Spirit of Wine..by..its Reduciblenesse..into Alcali, and Water..be suppos'd Capable of Dissolving Substances.
1831 B. Silliman Elements Chem. II. 329 They are also called noble metals; this refers not only to the reasons just stated, but also to..the reducibleness of their oxides by heat alone.
1854 C. Forster Monum. Assyria (1859) 1 The consequent reducibleness of all the postdiluvian dialects to the one primeval language.
reˈducibly adv.
ΚΠ
1708 J. Williams Twelve Serm. (ed. 2) 431 Scripture..is the Word of God, or a Divine Revelation; and this is reducibly so of all Doctrines contained therein.
1802 Trans. Soc. Arts 20 339 By minutely following the above instructions, the reducibly ruptured patient maybe freed from pain or danger.
1969 Calif. Law Rev. 57 623 The court's argument is reducibly unchanged.
1997 P. F. Strawson Entity & Identity xvi. 272 What justification has he for thinking that ordinary individual subjects of predication..are only reducibly such?
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.?a1425