from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Irreducible \Ir`re*du"ci*ble\, a.
1. Incapable of being reduced, or brought into a different
state; incapable of restoration to its proper or normal
condition; as, an irreducible hernia.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Math.) Incapable of being reduced to a simpler form of
expression; as, an irreducible formula.
[1913 Webster]
{Irreducible case} (Alg.), a particular case in the solution
of a cubic equation, in which the formula commonly
employed contains an imaginary quantity, and therefore
fails in its application. -- {Ir`re*du"ci*ble*ness}, n. --
-- {Ir`re*du"ci*bly}, adv.
[1913 Webster]