Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RE-FORM', v.t.¹ [Fr. reformer; L. reformo; re and formo, to form.]

1. To change from worse to better; to amend; to correct; to restore to a former good state, or to bring from a bad to a good state; as, to reform a profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals. The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age, but that of a good one will not reform it. – Swift.
2. To change from bad to good; to remove that which is bad or corrupt; as, to reform abuses; to reform the vices of the age.