Loading..

Loading...

American Dictionary of the English Language

Dictionary Search

Reform


REFORM', verb transitive [Latin reformo; re and formo, to form.]

1. To change from worse to better; to amend; to correct; to restore to a former good state, or to bring from a bad to a good state; as, to reform a profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals.

The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age, but that of a good one will not reform it.

2. To change from bad to good; to remove that which is bad or corrupt; as, to reform abuses; to reform the vices of the age.

REFORM', verb intransitive To abandon that which is evil or corrupt, and return to a good state; to be amended or corrected. A man of settled habits of vice will seldom reform

RE'-FORM, verb transitive [re and form; with the accent on the first syllable.] To form again; to create or shape anew.

REFORM', noun Reformation; amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt or depraved; as the reform of parliamentary elections; reform of government.