divide vs reduce

divide is a noun but reduce is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
divide	Yes	No	Yes	No
reduce	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, reduce is a hyponym of divide; that is, reduce is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than divide:

divide (noun)	reduce (noun)
a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems
a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)

divide (verb)	reduce (verb)
perform a division	take off weight
move or break apart	cut down on; make a reduction in
force, take, or pull apart	narrow or limit
make a division or separation	cook until very little liquid is left
separate into parts or portions	to remove oxygen from a compound, or cause to react with hydrogen or form a hydride, or to undergo an increase in the number of electrons
act as a barrier between; stand between	make smaller
	reduce in size; reduce physically
	make less complex
	reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
	lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture
	be cooked until very little liquid is left
	be the essential element
	destress and thus weaken a sound when pronouncing it
	undergo meiosis
	reposition (a broken bone after surgery) back to its normal site
	lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation
	lessen and make more modest
	simplify the form of a mathematical equation of expression by substituting one term for another
	bring to humbler or weaker state or condition
	put down by force or intimidation