reformation
ref-or-MAY-shun
/ˌrɛfəˈmeɪʃən/
A 16th-century movement for the reform of abuses in the Roman Catholic Church ending in the establishment of the Reformed and Protestant Churches.
Can also refer to the general act of improving something by making changes.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 're-' (again) and 'formare' (to form). It was used in the 16th century to describe the attempt to return the Church to its 'original' and 'pure' form.
Word relationships
- reform: Reform is the act; reformation is the process or the historical event.
- restructuring: A more modern, corporate-sounding term.
- stagnation: A state of no change or progress.
- corruption: The state that reformation usually seeks to fix.
Commonly confused with
- renaissance: Renaissance is about art and rebirth; Reformation is about religion and change.
Word family
- reform (verb): To make changes in something in order to improve it.
- reformer (noun): A person who makes changes to something in order to improve it.
Collocations
- Protestant Reformation
- social reformation
- reformation of character
Example sentences
- "The Reformation led to decades of religious conflict across Europe but also encouraged the spread of literacy." Historical impact.
- "The prisoner showed signs of genuine reformation and was eventually granted parole." General usage.
Memory hook
RE-FORM-ation: To FORM the Church again. Changing the shape of belief.
When not to use
Don't confuse with 'revolution', which usually implies an overthrow of a government rather than a religious/institutional change.
Fun facts
- The Reformation is traditionally dated to 1517, when Martin Luther supposedly nailed his 95 Theses to a church door.
Related words
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