Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Reform
Re-form′
(r?-f?rm′)
, Verb.
T.
To put into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change from worse to better; to amend; to correct;
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. Swift.
Syn. – To amend; correct; emend; rectify; mend; repair; better; improve; restore; reclaim.
Re-form′
,Verb.
I.
To return to a good state; to amend or correct one’s own character or habits;
as, a man of settled habits of vice will seldom
. reform
Re-form′
,Noun.
[F.
réforme
.] Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; reformation;
as,
reform
of elections; reform
of government.Civil service reform
. See under
– Civil
. Reform acts
(Eng. Politics)
, acts of Parliament passed in 1832, 1867, 1884, 1885, extending and equalizing popular representation in Parliament.
– Reform school
, a school established by a state or city government, for the confinement, instruction, and reformation of juvenile offenders, and of young persons of idle, vicious, and vagrant habits.
[U. S.]
Syn. – Reformation; amendment; rectification; correction. See
Reformation
. Webster 1828 Edition
Reform
REFORM'
,Verb.
T.
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.
I.