reform

Where does the word "reform" come from? It comes from Latin forma, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Reform’s story begins in Latin: forma meant “shape, mold.” Shape, mold, combined with re- (again). Within Latin, it grew into reformare by ancient. To form again, to change for the better, from re- and formare. From there it passed into Old French as reformer by medieval. Carried into French for restoring something to a better state. It reached English by 1300s as reform. Settled as the English word for making changes to improve something. Today, reform means to make changes to something in order to improve it, especially a system or institution.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient forma "shape, mold", shape, mold, combined with re- (again).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient reformare "to form again, to change for the better", to form again, to change for the better, from re- and formare.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval reformer "to restore something to a better state", carried into French for restoring something to a better state.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s reform "to make changes to improve something", settled as the English word for making changes to improve something.