irreducible

ir·re·duc·ible

adj \ˌir-i-ˈdü-sə-bəl, -ˈdyü-\

Definition of IRREDUCIBLE

1

: impossible to transform into or restore to a desired or simpler condition <an irreducible matrix>; specifically : incapable of being factored into polynomials of lower degree with coefficients in some given field (as the rational numbers) or integral domain (as the integers) <an irreducible equation>

2

: impossible to make less or smaller <an irreducible minimum>

— ir·re·duc·ibil·i·ty \-ˌdü-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌdyü-\ noun

— ir·re·duc·ibly \-ˈdü-sə-blē, -ˈdyü-\ adverb

Examples of IRREDUCIBLE

1. They thought the world was made up of four irreducible elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

First Known Use of IRREDUCIBLE

1633

Rhymes with IRREDUCIBLE

reproducible