v. t. [ F. réformer, L. reformare; pref. re- re- + formare to form, from forma form. See Form. ] 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;
The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age; but that of a good one will not reform it. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. réforme. ] Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; reformation;
Civil service reform.
Reform acts (Eng. Politics),
Reform school,
v. i. To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits;
a. Capable of being reformed. Foxe. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A reformado. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Sp., fr. reformar, L. reformare. SEe Reform, v. t. ]
v. i. To affect reformation; to pretend to correctness. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. réformation, L. reformatio. ]
Satire lashes vice into reformation. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Forming again; having the quality of renewing form; reformatory. Good. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Tending to produce reformation; reformative. [ 1913 Webster ]