reduce
Definitions
To make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
减少；缩小；降低
To bring to a worse state; to lower in status.
使陷入；使沦为
(Cooking) to thicken a sauce by boiling away water.
（烹饪）将（汁、酱）煮浓
(Math/Chemistry) to simplify or convert by removing components.
（数学/化学）化简；还原
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedre- (back) + duce (lead) = 'to lead back.' Reducing leads something back to a smaller state — fewer dollars, less weight, simpler form. The image is consistent across cost reduction, weight loss, chemical reduction, and «reduced to tears.»
Root duc still carries 35 more wordsWhy It Means This
Reduce is one of the most useful verbs in English because the «leading back to less» image works in so many domains. Industrially: reduce costs, reduce emissions. Culinarily: reduce a sauce by half. Mathematically: reduce a fraction. Chemically: reduce a metal (add electrons). Socially: reduced to begging. Each domain takes the basic image and applies it. The implicit direction is always toward less.
Common Collocations
- 1.reduce costs降低成本
- 2.reduce stress减压
- 3.reduce to使沦为
- 4.significantly reduce大幅减少
- 5.reduce by half减半
Example Sentences
- 1.
Try to reduce your screen time.
- 2.
The factory has reduced emissions by half.
- 3.
Reduce the sauce until it thickens.
- 4.
She was reduced to tears.