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 abusesSatire 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.