Search Result for "reform": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (3)

1. a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses;
- Example: "justice was for sale before the reform of the law courts"

2. a campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices;
- Example: "the reforms he proposed were too radical for the politicians"

3. self-improvement in behavior or morals by abandoning some vice;
- Example: "the family rejoiced in the drunkard's reform"


VERB (6)

1. make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and injustices;
- Example: "reform a political system"

2. bring, lead, or force to abandon a wrong or evil course of life, conduct, and adopt a right one;
- Example: "The Church reformed me"
- Example: "reform your conduct"
[syn: reform, reclaim, regenerate, rectify]

3. produce by cracking;
- Example: "reform gas"

4. break up the molecules of;
- Example: "reform oil"

5. improve by alteration or correction of errors or defects and put into a better condition;
- Example: "reform the health system in this country"

6. change for the better;
- Example: "The lazy student promised to reform"
- Example: "the habitual cheater finally saw the light"
[syn: reform, straighten out, see the light]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Reform \Re*form"\ (r?*f?rm"), v. t. [F. r['e]former, 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; as, to reform a
   profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals.
   [1913 Webster]

         The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an
         age; but that of a good one will not reform it.
                                                  --Swift.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To amend; correct; emend; rectify; mend; repair; better;
        improve; restore; reclaim.
        [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Reform \Re*form"\, 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.
   [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Reform \Re*form"\, n. [F. r['e]forme.]
   Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or
   depraved; reformation; as, reform of elections; reform of
   government.
   [1913 Webster]

   Civil service reform. See under Civil.

   Reform acts (Eng. Politics), 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. [U. S.]
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Reformation; amendment; rectification; correction. See
        Reformation.
        [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Re-form \Re-form"\ (r?*f?rm"), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
   Re-formed (-f?rmd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Re-forming.]
   To give a new form to; to form anew; to take form again, or
   to take a new form; as, to re-form the line after a charge.
   [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

reform
    n 1: a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses;
         "justice was for sale before the reform of the law courts"
    2: a campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices; "the
       reforms he proposed were too radical for the politicians"
    3: self-improvement in behavior or morals by abandoning some
       vice; "the family rejoiced in the drunkard's reform"
    v 1: make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and
         injustices; "reform a political system"
    2: bring, lead, or force to abandon a wrong or evil course of
       life, conduct, and adopt a right one; "The Church reformed
       me"; "reform your conduct" [syn: reform, reclaim,
       regenerate, rectify]
    3: produce by cracking; "reform gas"
    4: break up the molecules of; "reform oil"
    5: improve by alteration or correction of errors or defects and
       put into a better condition; "reform the health system in
       this country"
    6: change for the better; "The lazy student promised to reform";
       "the habitual cheater finally saw the light" [syn: reform,
       straighten out, see the light]


The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

REFORM, v.  A thing that mostly satisfies reformers opposed to
reformation.