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Webster 1913 Edition


Simplify

Sim′pli-fy

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Simplified
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Simplifying
.]
[Cf. F.
simplifier
, LL.
simplificare
. See
Simple
, and
-fy
.]
To make simple; to make less complex; to make clear by giving the explanation for; to show an easier or shorter process for doing or making.
The collection of duties is drawn to a point, and so far
simplified
.
A. Hamilton.
It is important, in scientific pursuits, to be caitious in
simplifying
our deductions.
W. Nicholson.

Webster 1828 Edition


Simplify

SIM'PLIFY

,
Verb.
T.
[L. simplex, simple, and facio, to make.] To make simple; to reduce what is complex to greater simplicity; to make plain or easy. The collection of duties is drawn to a point, and so far simplified. It is important in scientific pursuits, to be cautious in simplifying our deductions. This is the true way to simplify the study of science.

Definition 2024


simplify

simplify

English

Verb

simplify (third-person singular simple present simplifies, present participle simplifying, simple past and past participle simplified)

  1. (transitive) To make simpler, either by reducing in complexity, reducing to component parts, or making easier to understand.
  2. To become simpler.
    • 2006, Karen Oslund, “Reading Backwards: Language Politics and Cultural Identity in Nineteenth-Century Scandinavia”, in David L. Hoyt and Karen Oslund (editors), The Study of Language and the Politics of Community in Global Context, Lexington Books, ISBN 978-0-7391-0955-7, page 126:
      Thus, throughout the nineteenth century, linguists generally held that more grammatically complex languages were older and that languages tended to simplify over timethe four grammatical cases of German as contrasted with the seven of Latin, for example.

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