reformation
ref-er-MAY-shun
/ˌrɛfərˈmeɪʃən/
The act of reforming, or the state of being reformed; specifically, the 16th-century religious movement that led to Protestantism.
Refers broadly to structural improvement or moral renewal, but capitalized as 'the Reformation' it refers to Martin Luther's movement.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 're-' (again) and 'formare' (to shape), 'reformation' literally means shaping something back into its original, pure form. When 16th-century theologians called for 'reformation,' they insisted they were not creating a new religion, but restoring Christianity to its pure, early form.
Word relationships
- restructuring: Focuses on organizational reorganization without necessarily moral or spiritual renewal.
- amendment: Refers to small, specific formal changes to a document or law.
- stagnation: Lack of activity, growth, or development.
- corruption: Decay or deviation from original integrity.
Commonly confused with
- revolution: Reformation seeks to reform and cleanse an existing system, whereas revolution seeks to overthrow it entirely.
Word family
- reform (verb): To make changes in order to improve.
- reformer (noun): A person who advocates or brings about reform.
Collocations
- Protestant Reformation
- call for reformation
- social reformation
- instigate reformation
Example sentences
- "Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses triggered the Protestant Reformation across sixteenth-century Europe." European history
Memory hook
Re-formation = forming again into its original better shape. Reformation = reshape to purify.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'revolution', which seeks total destruction and replacement of an existing system, whereas reformation aims to restore or improve it from within.
Fun facts
- The term 'Protestant' originated in 1529 when Lutheran princes submitted a formal 'protestation' against a decree condemning Martin Luther's teachings.
Related words
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