reduce

1. V-T If you reduce something, you make it smaller in size or amount, or less in degree. 使变小

It reduces the risks of heart disease. 它减小了犯心脏病的危险。

2. V-T If someone is reduced to a weaker or inferior state, they become weaker or inferior as a result of something that happens to them. 使陷入[usu passive]

They were reduced to extreme poverty. 他们沦落到极度贫困的地步。

3. V-T If you say that someone is reduced to doing something, you mean that they have to do it, although it is unpleasant or embarrassing. 迫使[usu passive]

He was reduced to begging for a living. 他不得不以乞讨为生。

4. V-T If something is changed to a different or less complicated form, you can say that it is reduced to that form. 使变成; 使简化为[usu passive]

All the buildings in the town have been reduced to rubble. 镇上所有的建筑都变成了瓦砾。

5. V-T/V-I If you reduce liquid when you are cooking, or if it reduces, it is boiled in order to make it less in quantity and thicker. 使变稠; 收汁

Boil the liquid in a small saucepan to reduce it by half. 在小炖锅中煮沸汤汁使其收到一半的量。

6. PHRASE If someone or something reduces you to tears, they make you feel so unhappy that you cry. 使…流泪

The attentions of the media reduced her to tears. 媒体的关注使她流下了眼泪。