n.
Pronunciation: ri- ' fo ̇ rm
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French refurmer, from Latin reformare, from re- + formare to form, from forma form
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to put or change into an improved form or condition b : to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses
2 : to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action
3 : to induce or cause to abandon evil ways < reform a drunkard>
4 a : to subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking b : to produce (as gasoline or gas) by cracking
intransitive verb : to become changed for the better
synonyms see CORRECT
– re · form · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ fo ̇ r-m ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– re · form · able \ - ' fo ̇ r-m ə -b ə l \ adjective