reduction descending

Reduction \Re*duc"tion\ (r[-e]*d[u^]k"sh[u^]n), n. [F.
   r['e]duction, L. reductio. See {Reduce}.]
   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.
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   2. (Arith. & Alg.) The act or process of reducing. See
      {Reduce}, v. t., 6. and {To reduce an equation}, {To
      reduce an expression}, under {Reduce}, v. t.
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   3. (Astron.)
      (a) The correction of observations for known errors of
          instruments, etc.
      (b) The preparation of the facts and measurements of
          observations in order to deduce a general result.
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   4. The process of making a copy of something, as a figure,
      design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the
      proper proportions. --Fairholt.
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   5. (Logic) The bringing of a syllogism in one of the
      so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure.
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   6. (Chem. & Metal.) The act, process, or result of
      reducing[7]; as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the
      reduction of an aldehyde into an alcohol.
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   7. (Med.) The operation of restoring a dislocated or
      fractured part to its former place.
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   {Reduction ascending} (Arith.), the operation of changing
      numbers of a lower into others of a higher denomination,
      as cents to dollars.

   {Reduction descending} (Arith.), the operation of changing
      numbers of a higher into others of a lower denomination,
      as dollars to cents.
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   Syn: Diminution; decrease; abatement; curtailment;
        subjugation; conquest; subjection.
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