I. ri-ˈfȯrm 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 -ˌfȯr-mə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• re·form·able -ˈfȯr-mə-bəl adjective
II. noun
Date: 1663
1. : amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved
2. : a removal or correction of an abuse, a wrong, or errors
3. capitalized : Reform Judaism
III. adjective
Date: 1819
: relating to or favoring reform