n. [ L. abductio: cf. F. abduction. ] 1. The act of abducing or abducting; a drawing apart; a carrying away. Roget. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol.) The movement which separates a limb or other part from the axis, or middle line, of the body. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) The wrongful, and usually the forcible, carrying off of a human being; as, the abduction of a child, the abduction of an heiress. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Logic) A syllogism or form of argument in which the major is evident, but the minor is only probable. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. adduction. See Adduce. ] 1. The act of adducing or bringing forward. [ 1913 Webster ]

An adduction of facts gathered from various quarters. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Physiol.) The action by which the parts of the body are drawn towards its axis ]; -- opposed to abduction. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. circumductio. ] 1. A leading about; circumlocution. [ R. ] Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An annulling; cancellation. [ R. ] Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Physiol.) The rotation of a limb round an imaginary axis, so as to describe a conical surface. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. conductio a bringing together: cf. F. conduction. ] 1. The act of leading or guiding. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of training up. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Physics) Transmission through, or by means of, a conductor; also, conductivity. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ The ] communication [ of heat ] from one body to another when they are in contact, or through a homogenous body from particle to particle, constitutes conduction. Amer. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. deductio: cf. F. déduction. ] 1. Act or process of deducing or inferring. [ 1913 Webster ]

The deduction of one language from another. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

This process, by which from two statements we deduce a third, is called deduction. J. R. Seely. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Act of deducting or taking away; subtraction; as, the deduction of the subtrahend from the minuend. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is deduced or drawn from premises by a process of reasoning; an inference; a conclusion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Make fair deductions; see to what they mount. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That which is or may be deducted; the part taken away; abatement; as, a deduction from the yearly rent in compensation for services; deductions from income in calculating income taxes.

Syn. -- See Induction. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. diductio, fr. diducere, diductum, to draw apart; di- = dis- + ducere to lead, draw. ] The act of drawing apart; separation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ductio, fr. ducere to lead. ] Guidance. [ Obs. ] Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. eductio. ] The act of drawing out or bringing into view. [ 1913 Webster ]

Eduction pipe, and
Eduction port. See Exhaust pipe and Exhaust port, under Exhaust, a. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. inductio: cf. F. induction. See Induct. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or process of inducting or bringing in; introduction; entrance; beginning; commencement. [ 1913 Webster ]

I know not you; nor am I well pleased to make this time, as the affair now stands, the induction of your acquaintance. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

These promises are fair, the parties sure,
And our induction dull of prosperous hope. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An introduction or introductory scene, as to a play; a preface; a prologue. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

This is but an induction: I will draw
The curtains of the tragedy hereafter. Massinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Philos.) The act or process of reasoning from a part to a whole, from particulars to generals, or from the individual to the universal; also, the result or inference so reached. [ 1913 Webster ]

Induction is an inference drawn from all the particulars. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Induction is the process by which we conclude that what is true of certain individuals of a class, is true of the whole class, or that what is true at certain times will be true in similar circumstances at all times. J. S. Mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The introduction of a clergyman into a benefice, or of an official into a office, with appropriate acts or ceremonies; the giving actual possession of an ecclesiastical living or its temporalities. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Math.) A process of demonstration in which a general truth is gathered from an examination of particular cases, one of which is known to be true, the examination being so conducted that each case is made to depend on the preceding one; -- called also successive induction. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Physics) The property by which one body, having electrical or magnetic polarity, causes or induces it in another body without direct contact; an impress of electrical or magnetic force or condition from one body on another without actual contact. [ 1913 Webster ]

Electro-dynamic induction, the action by which a variable or interrupted current of electricity excites another current in a neighboring conductor forming a closed circuit. --
Electro-magnetic induction, the influence by which an electric current produces magnetic polarity in certain bodies near or around which it passes. --
Electro-static induction, the action by which a body possessing a charge of statical electricity develops a charge of statical electricity of the opposite character in a neighboring body. --
Induction coil, an apparatus producing induced currents of great intensity. It consists of a coil or helix of stout insulated copper wire, surrounded by another coil of very fine insulated wire, in which a momentary current is induced, when a current (as from a voltaic battery), passing through the inner coil, is made, broken, or varied. The inner coil has within it a core of soft iron, and is connected at its terminals with a condenser; -- called also inductorium, and Ruhmkorff's coil. --
Induction pipe,
Induction port, or
Induction valve, a pipe, passageway, or valve, for leading or admitting a fluid to a receiver, as steam to an engine cylinder, or water to a pump. --
Magnetic induction, the action by which magnetic polarity is developed in a body susceptible to magnetic effects when brought under the influence of a magnet. --
Magneto-electric induction, the influence by which a magnet excites electric currents in closed circuits. [ 1913 Webster ]

Logical induction, (Philos.), an act or method of reasoning from all the parts separately to the whole which they constitute, or into which they may be united collectively; the operation of discovering and proving general propositions; the scientific method. --
Philosophical induction, the inference, or the act of inferring, that what has been observed or established in respect to a part, individual, or species, may, on the ground of analogy, be affirmed or received of the whole to which it belongs. This last is the inductive method of Bacon. It ascends from the parts to the whole, and forms, from the general analogy of nature, or special presumptions in the case, conclusions which have greater or less degrees of force, and which may be strengthened or weakened by subsequent experience and experiment. It relates to actual existences, as in physical science or the concerns of life. Logical induction is founded on the necessary laws of thought; philosophical induction, on the interpretation of the indications or analogy of nature. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Deduction. -- Induction, Deduction. In induction we observe a sufficient number of individual facts, and, on the ground of analogy, extend what is true of them to others of the same class, thus arriving at general principles or laws. This is the kind of reasoning in physical science. In deduction we begin with a general truth, which is already proven or provisionally assumed, and seek to connect it with some particular case by means of a middle term, or class of objects, known to be equally connected with both. Thus, we bring down the general into the particular, affirming of the latter the distinctive qualities of the former. This is the syllogistic method. By induction Franklin established the identity of lightning and electricity; by deduction he inferred that dwellings might be protected by lightning rods. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or proceeding by, induction; inductive. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A machine built as an induction motor and driven above synchronous speed, thus acting as an alternating-current generator; -- called also asynchronous generator. Below synchronism the machine takes in electrical energy and acts as an induction motor; at synchronism the power component of current becomes zero and changes sign, so that above synchronism the machine (driven for this purpose by mechanical power) gives out electrical energy as a generator. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Elec.) A type of alternating-current motor comprising two wound members, one stationary, called the stator, and the other rotating, called the rotor, these two members corresponding to a certain extent to the field and armature of a direct-current motor. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. introductio: cf. F. introduction. See Introduce. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act of introducing, or bringing to notice. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of formally making persons known to each other; a presentation or making known of one person to another by name; as, the introduction of one stranger to another. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That part of a book or discourse which introduces or leads the way to the main subject, or part; preliminary; matter; preface; proem; exordium. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A formal and elaborate preliminary treatise; specifically, a treatise introductory to other treatises, or to a course of study; a guide; as, an introduction to English literature. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The process that makes a substance magnetic (temporarily or permanently).
Syn. -- magnetization, magnetisation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. Same as magnetic field strength.
Syn. -- magnetic intensity, magnetic flux density. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. manus hand + ductio a leading, ducere to lead: cf. F. manuduction. ] Guidance by the hand. [ Obs. ] Glanvill. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Economics) The increase in total cost of production as a result of producing one more unit of output; since certain ovrhead costs are fixed, the marginal cost is almost aways less than the total per-unit cost of production averaged over all units produced.
Syn. -- incremental cost, differential cost. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The quality of not being able to conduct or transmit; failure to conduct. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A failure to produce or exhibit. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. obductio. ] The act of drawing or laying over, as a covering. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Excessive production; supply beyond the demand. J. S. Mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Physics) The simultaneous creation of a particle and its antiparticle, such as an electron and positron, from a photon; -- usually due to its interaction with the strong field near a nucleus. [ PJC ]

n. [ L. productio a lengthening, prolonging: cf. F. production. See Produce. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or process or producing, bringing forth, or exhibiting to view; as, the production of commodities, of a witness. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is produced, yielded, or made, whether naturally, or by the application of intelligence and labor; as, the productions of the earth; the productions of handicraft; the productions of intellect or genius. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of lengthening out or prolonging. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Product; produce; fruit; work; performance; composition. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. réduction, L. reductio. See Reduce. ] 1. The act of reducing, or state of being reduced; conversion to a given state or condition; diminution; conquest; as, the reduction of a body to powder; the reduction of things to order; the reduction of the expenses of government; the reduction of a rebellious province. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arith. & Alg.) The act or process of reducing. See Reduce, v. t., 6. and To reduce an equation, To reduce an expression, under Reduce, v. t. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Astron.) (a) The correction of observations for known errors of instruments, etc. (b) The preparation of the facts and measurements of observations in order to deduce a general result. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The process of making a copy of something, as a figure, design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the proper proportions. Fairholt. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Logic) The bringing of a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Chem. & Metal.) The act, process, or result of reducing{ 7 }; as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of an aldehyde into an alcohol. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Med.) The operation of restoring a dislocated or fractured part to its former place. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reduction ascending (Arith.), the operation of changing numbers of a lower into others of a higher denomination, as cents to dollars. --
Reduction descending (Arith.), the operation of changing numbers of a higher into others of a lower denomination, as dollars to cents. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Diminution; decrease; abatement; curtailment; subjugation; conquest; subjection. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. reproduction. ] 1. The act or process of reproducing; the state of being reproduced; specifically (Biol.), the process by which plants and animals give rise to offspring. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ There are two distinct methods of reproduction; viz.: asexual reproduction (agamogenesis) and sexual reproduction (gamogenesis). In both cases the new individual is developed from detached portions of the parent organism. In asexual reproduction (gemmation, fission, etc.), the detached portions of the organism develop into new individuals without the intervention of other living matter. In sexual reproduction, the detached portion, which is always a single cell, called the female germ cell, is acted upon by another portion of living matter, the male germ cell, usually from another organism, and in the fusion of the two (impregnation) a new cell is formed, from the development of which arises a new individual. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is reproduced. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. retroducere, retroductum, to lead or bring back; retro backward + ducere to lead. ] A leading or bringing back. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. seductio: cf. F. séduction. See Seduce. ] 1. The act of seducing; enticement to wrong doing; enticement to fail in some duty. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically: (a) The offense of inducing a woman to consent to unlawful sexual intercourse, by enticements which overcome her scruples; the wrong or crime of persuading a woman to surrender her chastity. [ Archaic ] (b) Any successful enticement to engage in some sexual activity, especially intercourse. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. That which seduces, or is adapted to seduce; means of leading astray; as, the seductions of wealth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Elec.) Induction in a circuit due to the action of one portion of a current upon an adjacent portion during periods of varying current strength. The nature of the induction is such as to oppose the action which produces it. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. subductio. ] 1. The act of subducting or taking away. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Arithmetical subtraction. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of superinducing, or the state of being superinduced. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. traductio a transferring: cf. F. traduction translation. See Traduce. ] 1. Transmission from one to another. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Traditional communication and traduction of truths. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Translation from one language to another. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Derivation by descent; propagation. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If by traduction came thy mind,
Our wonder is the less to find
A soul so charming from a stock so good. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The act of transferring; conveyance; transportation. [ R. ] “The traduction of brutes.” Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Transition. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Logic) A process of reasoning in which each conclusion applies to just such an object as each of the premises applies to. Jevons. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. transducere, traducere, -dictum, to lead across or over. See Traduce. ] The act of conveying over. [ R. ] Entick. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Polit. Econ.) The production of less than is demanded or of less than the usual supply. F. A. Walker. [ 1913 Webster ]