Reform — Defs

01 v. t. 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 bet…

1.
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; as, to reform a profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals.
“The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age; but that of a good one will not reform it.” — Swift.

Syn. To amend; correct; emend; rectify; mend; repair; better; improve; restore; reclaim.

02 v. i. To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits; as, a man of settled habits of vice will seldom reform.

1.
To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits; as, a man of settled habits of vice will seldom reform.

03 n. Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; reformation; as, reform of elections; reform of government.

1.
Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; reformation; as, reform of elections; reform of government.

Phrases & compounds

Civil service reform — See under Civil.

Reform acts — acts of Parliament passed in 1832, 1867, 1884, 1885, extending and equalizing popular representation in Parliament.

Reform school — a school established by a state or city government, for the confinement, instruction, and reformation of juvenile offenders, and of young persons of idle, vicious, and vagrant habits.

Syn. Reformation; amendment; rectification; correction. See Reformation.