irreducible
UK[ˌɪrɪˈdjuːsəbl]US[ˌɪrɪˈduːsəbl]
adj
not able to be reduced or simplified
adj
not able to be brought to a desired or simpler state or form
Morpheme Breakdown
ir
re
ducible
ir
not
re
again
ducible
able to be led
Etymology
The word 'irreducible' is built upon the latin verb 'ducere', meaning 'to lead'. The core concept of 'leading' or 'bringing' evolved into the sense of 'bringing down' or 'lessening', which is the meaning in 'reduce'. The suffix '-ible' (from latin '-ibilis') attaches to form 'reducible', meaning 'able to be brought down or simplified'. The double negation is completed by the prefix 'ir-', a variant of 'in-' meaning 'not', attached to words beginning with 'r'. Thus, the literal construction 'not able to be led back (or down)' logically yields the modern abstract meaning of something that cannot be made smaller, simpler, or less complex.
Analysis
Structure: ir (not) + re (again) + ducible (able to be led)
- ir: latin origin, a prefix meaning 'not', an assimilated form of 'in-' used before 'r'.
- re: latin origin, a prefix meaning 'back' or 'again'.
- ducible: from latin 'ducere' (to lead) + the suffix '-ible' (able to be), meaning 'able to be led or brought'.
Examples
the conflict seems to be based on irreducible differences between the two cultures.
in mathematics, an irreducible fraction is one that cannot be simplified further.
the scientist argued that this was an irreducible minimum of data needed for a valid conclusion.