reduce

(verb): To bring down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something; to diminish, to lower.
(verb): To lose weight.
(verb): To bring to an inferior rank; to degrade, to demote.
(verb): To humble; to conquer; to subdue; to capture.
(verb): To bring to an inferior state or condition.
(verb): To decrease the liquid content of food by boiling much of its water off.
(verb): To add electrons / hydrogen or to remove oxygen.
(verb): To produce metal from ore by removing nonmetallic elements in a smelter.
(verb): To simplify an equation or formula without changing its value.
(verb): To express the solution of a problem in terms of another (known) algorithm.
(verb): To convert a syllogism to a clearer or simpler form
(verb): To convert to written form. (Usage note: this verb almost always appears as "reduce to writing".)
(verb): To perform a reduction; to restore a fracture or dislocation to the correct alignment.
(verb): To reform a line or column from (a square).
(verb): To strike off the payroll.
(verb): To annul by legal means.
(verb): To translate (a book, document, etc.).

to reduce weight, speed, heat, expenses, price, personnel etc.
Hester Prynne was shocked at the condition to which she found the clergyman reduced.
to reduce a province or a fort
to reduce a city to ashes
It is important that all business contracts be reduced to writing.