Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Reformation

Refˊor-ma′tion

(r?fˊ?r-m?′sh?n)
,
Noun.
[F.
réformation
, L.
reformatio
.]
1.
The act of reforming, or the state of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt;
as, the
reformation
of manners;
reformation
of the age;
reformation
of abuses
.
Satire lashes vice into
reformation
.
Dryden.
2.
Specifically
(Eccl. Hist.)
, the important religious movement commenced by Luther early in the sixteenth century, which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant churches.
Syn. – Reform; amendment; correction; rectification.
Reformation
,
Reform
. Reformation is a more thorough and comprehensive change than reform. It is applied to subjects that are more important, and results in changes which are more lasting. A reformation involves, and is followed by, many particular reforms. “The pagan converts mention this great reformation of those who had been the greatest sinners, with that sudden and surprising change which the Christian religion made in the lives of the most profligate.”
Addison.
“A variety of schemes, founded in visionary and impracticable ideas of reform, were suddenly produced.”
Pitt.

Webster 1828 Edition


Reformation

REF'ORMATION

, n.
1.
The act of reforming; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of any thing vicious or corrupt; as the reformation of manners; reformation of the age; reformation of abuses.
Satire lashes vice into reformation.
2.
By way of eminence, the change of religion from the corruptions of popery to its primitive purity, begun by Luther, A.D. 1517.

Definition 2024


Reformation

Reformation

English

Proper noun

Reformation

  1. The religious movement initiated by Martin Luther in the 16th century to reform the Roman Catholic Church.

Related terms

Translations

reformation

reformation

English

Noun

reformation (plural reformations)

  1. An improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices etc.; intended to make a striking change for the better in social or political or religious affairs.

Translations


French

Etymology

re- + formation

Noun

reformation f (plural reformations)

  1. re-formation