— reformable , adj. — reformability, reformableness , n. — reformative , adj. — reformatively , adv. — reformativeness , n. — reformingly , adv.
/ri fawrm"/ , n.
1. the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.: social reform; spelling reform.
2. an instance of this.
3. the amendment of conduct, belief, etc.
v.t.
4. to change to a better state, form, etc.; improve by alteration, substitution, abolition, etc.
5. to cause (a person) to abandon wrong or evil ways of life or conduct.
6. to put an end to (abuses, disorders, etc.).
7. Chem. to subject to the process of reforming, as in refining petroleum.
v.i.
8. to abandon evil conduct or error: The drunkard promised to reform.
adj.
9. ( cap. ) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Reform Jews or Reform Judaism: a Reform rabbi.
[ 1300-50; (v.) ME reformen reformer, OF reformare (see RE-, FORM); (n.) partly deriv. of the v., partly réforme ]
Syn. 1. correction, reformation, betterment, amelioration. 4. better, rectify, correct, amend, emend, ameliorate, repair, restore.
Ant. 1. deterioration.