- re|form
- re|form «rih FRM», verb, noun, adjective.–v.t.1. to make better: »
Some prisons try to reform criminals instead of just punishing them.
2. to improve by removing faults or abuses: »to reform a city administration.
3. to crack and refine (petroleum or gas): »The use of a platinum-containing catalyst for the reforming of straight-run gasoline has undergone rapid acceptance by the petroleum industry (Vladimir Haensel).
–v.i.to become better: »The boy promised to reform if given another chance.
–n.an improvement, especially one made by removing faults or abuses; change intended to be an improvement: »The new government made many needed reforms. The most fundamental reform, then, is a reform in fundamental point of view (Bulletin of Atomic Scientists).
–adj.of reform; favoring reform: »a reform movement within a party, a reform mayor.
╂[< Latin reformāre < re- again + formāre to form < forma form]Re|form «rih FRM», adjective.of or having to do with the liberal branch of Judaism, as contrasted with the Orthodox and Conservative branches: »The Reform Branch…members seek to interet Jewish religious law in accordance with the needs of contemporary life (New York Times). The worship would be according to the relaxed rules of Reform Judaism (Time).
╂[< reform]re-form «ree FRM», transitive verb.to form again.–v.i.1. to take a new shape: »The effect…is comparable to…watching clouds form and re-form in the changing light of a hot afternoon (Atlantic).
2. to form again.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.