See Also: REFORM(law)
reform(2)(dictionary)
reform(1)(dictionary)
reform 2, noun(dictionary)
Reform sauce(recipes)
Deuteronomic Reform(encyclopedia)
Reform (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
Reform Judaism(encyclopedia)
Reform Party(encyclopedia)
reform school(dictionary)

reform(2) (iou)



reform verb1. In sense 8 also re-form. ME.
[Old & mod. French reformer or Latin reformare, formed as RE- + formare FORM verb1.]
verb trans. Restore or re-establish (peace). ME-M16.
verb trans.
a. Foll. by to: convert, bring back, or restore to the original form or a previous condition. ME-L16.
b. Rebuild or repair (a building). LME-M17.
verb trans. Convert into another and better form; make a change for the better in, improve; remove faults or errors in, amend. LME.
S. Austin He was bound..to reform the administration of justice. J. H. Newman He..reformed the calendar. G. Sayer To reform the university, a succession of royal commissions was set up.
b. Orig., correct, emend, revise, (a book, document, etc.). Now only Law (chiefly US), correct (a legal document) according to the original intention. L15.
c. Remove by or by way of reformation. M17.
verb trans. Cause to abandon wrongdoing; bring about a thorough improvement in (a person, his or her character, etc.). Also foll. by from, of, to. LME.
John Baxter Far be it from us to discourage any effort made to reform juvenile offenders. Carlyle Buddenbrock..is now reformed from those practices.
b. verb trans. Reprove or punish for some fault. L15-L16.
c. verb intrans. Abandon wrongdoing; thoroughly improve one's conduct. L15.
J. Conrad You may keep it till the day I reform and enter a convent.
verb trans. Abolish or remedy (an abuse, malpractice, etc.) by enforcing or introducing a better procedure; put right (an error). LME.
M. Edgeworth He could reform every abuse.
b. Redress (a wrong, loss, etc.), make good. Chiefly Scot. LME-E17.
verb trans. Cut back, trim, prune. L16-L17.
verb trans. Military. Form into a new regiment or company; break up, partially or completely, for this purpose. E17-M18.
verb trans. Science. Change the composition of (a hydrocarbon mixture) by heating over a catalyst, esp. so as to increase the octane number. Also, convert (a hydrocarbon) to carbon monoxide and hydrogen by heating with steam over a catalyst. Freq. as reforming verbal noun. E20.