Definition of "reductive" in English

adjective

1. (Scots law, now rare) Pertaining to the reduction of a decree etc.; rescissory.

2. Causing the physical reduction or diminution of something.

3. (chemistry, metallurgy, biology, economics) That reduces a substance etc. to a more simple or basic form.

4. (now rare, historical) That can be derived from, or referred back to, something else.

5. (now frequently derogatory) That reduces an argument, issue etc. to its most basic terms; simplistic, reductionist.