reducer

American  

[ri-doo-ser, -dyoo-] / rɪˈdu sər, -ˈdyu- /

noun

1. a person or thing that reduces.

2. Photography.

   1. an oxidizing solution for lessening the density of an exposed negative.

   2. a developing agent.

3. (in plumbing) a coupling decreasing in diameter at one end.

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reducer British  

/ rɪˈdjuːsə /

noun

1. photog a chemical solution used to lessen the density of a negative or print by oxidizing some of the blackened silver to soluble silver compounds Compare intensifier

2. a pipe fitting connecting two pipes of different diameters

3. a person or thing that reduces

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Other Word Forms

• antireducer noun

Etymology

Origin of reducer

First recorded in 1520–30; reduce + -er ¹

Example Sentences

China, for example, controls 80% of the basic ingredients that go into antibiotics and fever reducers and controls roughly half of global production of printed circuit boards.

From Barron's

China, for example, controls 80% of the basic ingredients that go into antibiotics and fever reducers and controls roughly half of global production of printed circuit boards.

From Barron's

Adding a safety warning based on flimsy evidence creates its own risks, such as deterring pregnant women from taking the pain killer and fever reducer when they need it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some scientists have said that warnings against acetaminophen are premature, because the drug is the only fever reducer recommended to women at some points in pregnancy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Participating in Veganuary also appears to shift people's identity from seeing themselves as a meat eater to more of a "meat reducer" or "meat excluder".

From Salon