Makes smaller in size, amount, degree, or intensity. Can also mean to simplify or break down into constituent parts.
From Latin 'reducere' meaning 'to lead back, bring back'. Composed of 're-' (back) + 'ducere' (to lead). The meaning evolved from 'bringing back' to 'bringing down' in terms of quantity or complexity.
The military phrase 'reduced to the ranks' preserves the original Latin meaning of leading someone back to a previous position. It's remarkable how this word went from meaning 'to restore' to meaning almost the opposite - 'to diminish'.
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