English Explanatory Dictionary

reformation

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices, etc.; intended to make a striking change for the better in social, political or religious affairs or in the conduct of persons or operation of organizations.
  2. Change or correction, by a court in equity, to a written instrument to conform to the original intention of the parties.
noun
  1. Alternative form of re-formation.
name
  1. The religious movement initiated in the 16th century against the Roman Catholic Church, leading to more than a century of internecine conflict that ended with a durable division between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.

Pronunciation

/ˌɹɛfəˈmeɪʃən/ /ˌɹɛfɚˈmeɪʃən/ en-us-reformation.ogg /rɪˌfɔ(r)ˌmeʃən/ /ˌɹiːfɔːˈmeɪʃən/ /ˌɹifɔɹˈmeɪʃən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Reformation.wav

Word forms

reformation reformations the Reformation

Etymology

From Middle English reformacioun, reformation, from Middle French reformation and Latin refōrmātiō, refōrmātiōnis (“reform, change”), from refōrmō (“transform, reshape”), from re- + fōrmō (“shape, form”). By surface analysis, reform + -ation.

Related words

reform reformation reformed reformer reformist Catholicism Roman Catholicism Christianity Eastern Orthodoxy Messianic Judaism Protestantism

Derived words

nonreformation reformational reformationary unreformation Counter-Reformation postreformational prereformational Reformationist
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