Definitions for: Reformation

[n] rescuing from error and returning to a rightful course; "the reclamation of delinquent children"
[n] a religious movement of the 16th century that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the creation of Protestant churches
[n] improvement in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices etc.; a striking change for the better in social or political or religious affairs

Webster (1913) Definition: Ref`or*ma"tion (r?f`?r*m?"sh?n), n. [F.
r['e]formation, 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.

Usage: 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.

Synonyms: reclamation

See Also: deliverance, delivery, improvement, melioration, religious movement, rescue, saving

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