Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
reflexion
reflexive
reflexology
refluent
reflux
refocus
reforest
Reform
reform
Reform Act
Reform Judaism
Reform Party
reform school
Reformation
reformation
reformatory
Reformed
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "reform" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

reform

re·form [ ri fáwrm ]


verb  (past and past participle re·formed, present participle re·form·ing, 3rd person present singular re·forms)
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb improve something by removing faults: to change and improve something by correcting faults, removing inconsistencies and abuses, and imposing modern methods or values

2. transitive and intransitive verb get rid of unacceptable habits: to adopt a more acceptable way of life and mode of behavior, or persuade or force somebody else to do so

3. transitive verb industry change molecular structure of petroleum: to subject petroleum to a chemical process such as catalytic cracking, in order to convert it into gasoline



noun  (plural re·forms)
Definition:
 
1. reorganization and improvement: the reorganization and improvement of something such as a political institution or system that is considered to be faulty, ineffective, or unjust
electoral reform
the reform candidate

2. improving change: a change and improvement, especially in the social or political sphere
reforms designed to prevent fraud

3. character improvement: the adoption by somebody of a more acceptable way of life and mode of behavior

[14th century. Directly or via French< Latin reformare "form again" < forma "form"]

re·form·a·ble [ ri fáwrməb'l ] adjective
re·for·ma·tive [ ri fáwrmətiv ] adjective
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft