REFORM', verb transitive [Latin reformo; re and formo, to form.] 1. To change from worse to better; to amend; to correct; to restore to a former good state, or to bring from a bad to a good state; 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. 2. To change from bad to good; to remove that which is bad or corrupt; as, to reform abuses; to reform the vices of the age. REFORM', verb intransitive To abandon that which is evil or corrupt, and return to a good state; to be amended or corrected. A man of settled habits of vice will seldom reform RE'-FORM, verb transitive [re and form; with the accent on the first syllable.] To form again; to create or shape anew. REFORM', noun Reformation; amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt or depraved; as the reform of parliamentary elections; reform of government.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI