Re`-for*ma"tion (r?`f?r*m?"sh?n), n. The act of forming anew; a second forming in order; as, the
reformation of a column of
troops into a hollow square.
Ref`or*ma"tion (r?f`?r*m?"sh?n),
n. [F. réformation, L. reformatio.]
1. The act of
reforming, or the state of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt; as, the reformation of manners;
reformation of the age; reformation of
abuses.
Satire lashes vice into reformation.
Dryden.
2. Specifically (Eccl. Hist.), the important religious movement commenced by Luther early in the
sixteenth century, which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant
churches.
Syn. -- Reform; amendment; correction; rectification. -- Reformation, Reform. Reformation is a more thorough and comprehensive change than reform. It is applied to
subjects that are more important, and results in changes which are more lasting. A reformation involves,
and is followed by, many particular reforms. "The pagan converts mention this great reformation
of those who had been
the greatest sinners, with that sudden and surprising change which the Christian religion made in the lives
of the most
profligate." Addison. "A variety of
schemes, founded in visionary and impracticable ideas of
reform, were suddenly
produced." Pitt.
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