reduce
/rɪˈdju:s; ?@ -ˈdu:s; rɪ`dus/ v
1 [Tn, Tn.pr]
~ sth (from sth) (to/by sb) make sth smaller in size, number, degree, price, etc 缩减（体积、 数量、 程度、 价格等）; 减小; 减少; 减低; 降低
reduce volume, quantity, pressure, speed 缩小体积、 减少数量、 降低压力、 减低速度
increase profits by reducing costs 降低成本以增加利润
reduce one's weight from 98 to 92 kilos/by 6 kilos 把体重从98公斤减少到92公斤[减少6公斤]
Antibiotics will reduce the swelling. 使用抗菌素能消肿.
This shirt was greatly/drastically reduced in the sale. 这种衬衣在大减价时降价很多.
2 [I] (infml 口 esp US) lose weight intentionally; diet （有意识地）减轻体重; 节食.
3 [Tn.pr] ~ sb (from sth) to sth make sb lower in rank or status; demote sb 降低某人的级别或地位; 降职
reduce a sergeant to the ranks, ie make him an ordinary soldier 把一名中士降为士兵
The reform has reduced us to servants of the State. 这一改革把我们都降为公务员了.
4 [Tn.pr] ~ sb/sth (from sth) to sth bring sb/sth into a specified (usu worse) state or condition 使某人[某事物]陷入某种（通常指更坏的）状态或状况中
be reduced to begging, borrowing 沦落到得要饭、 借债
reduce sb to tears, silence, despair, obedience 使某人流泪、 沉默、 绝望、 顺从
reduce the chaos in one's office to some form of order 改变办公室的混乱状况, 使之有些条理
Overwork has reduced him to a physical wreck. 他过度劳累而损害了健康.
The fire reduced the house to ashes. 这场火灾把那所房子化为灰烬.
5 [Tn.pr] ~ sth to sth change sth to a more general or basic form 将 某事物概括或简化成某种形式
reduce an equation, argument, issue to its simplest form 把某方程式、 论据、 问题化为最简单形式
reduce a problem to two main issues 把某问题归纳成两个要点.
6 [Tn, Tn.pr]
~ sth (to sth) (chemistry 化) remove oxygen from or add hydrogen or electrons to (a compound) 将（化合物）还原
reduce water (ie to hydrogen) by electrolysis 用电解法把水还原（为氢）
reduce a compound to its constituentelements 将一化合物还原为构成该化合物的元素. Cf 参看 oxidize (oxide).