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re·form (rĭ-fôrm)
Share:
v. re·formed, re·form·ing, re·forms
v.tr.
1. To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition: reform the tax code.
2.
a. To abolish abuse or malpractice in: reform the government.
b. To put an end to (an abuse or wrong).
3. To induce or persuade (a person) to give up harmful or immoral practices; cause to adopt a better way of life.
4. Chemistry To subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking.
v.intr.
To change for the better.
n.
1. Action to improve or correct what is wrong or defective in something: health care reform.
2. An instance of this; an improvement: reforms in education.
adj.
1. Relating to or favoring reform: a reform candidate for mayor.
2. Reform Of or relating to Reform Judaism.
[Middle English reformen, from Old French reformer, from Latin refōrmāre : re-, re- + fōrmāre, to shape (from fōrma, form).]
re·form′a·bili·ty n.
re·forma·ble adj.
re·former n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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