Middle English Dictionary Entry
refō̆rmen v.
Entry Info
Forms | refō̆rmen v. Also reforme, refǒurme(n, reffourme; p.ppl. reformed(e, reffourmed, reformit, refourmet. |
Etymology | OF reformer, refourmer & L reformāre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To restore (sb. or sth.) to strength, health, or firmness; re-establish (determination), strengthen; (b) to restore (sb. or sth. to a previous state), return, change back; also, restore (sb.) to a former state; (c) to make a restoration [quot.: 1340]; remake (the image of God in the soul), re-create; restore or re-establish (peace, unity, etc.); (d) to restore (property to its rightful owner); make restitution of (sth.); (e) to reconcile (sb. to God).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 16.23 : Whan euere þe euyl spirit of þe lord cauȝte Saul, dauyd tooc an harpe & smoot wiþ hys hond, & Saul was refourmed [WB(2): was coumfortid; L refocillabatur].
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judith 13.30 : Achior fel in to his face vp on þe erþe & his liif quappede; after forsoþe þat, þe spirit taken aȝeen, he is reformed [L recreatus].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)17a/a : Þe offis of þese angelis is to teche hem þat haueþ vertue how þey schul in hemself reparare [read: repare] þe ymage of god and reforme it.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)62/30 : Þe oonheed which I haue maad in man..was needful..to refoorme þe wey þat was broke, þat ȝe myȝten come aȝein to liif.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)191/24 : I graunte..not for to refoorme holy chirche by werre or by cruelte..but by pees and reste.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)65 : This same emplastre is good a-ȝeins houndes-byting and cancres and..reformyþ and conseueth þe flesh.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12478 : A man in A moment May..Lese a membre, ffoot or hond, Wych he shal..nat recure Ageyn..To refourme yt as yt was.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)185/10 : Whatsoeuyr is fallen in tyme passed, we aught inough to haue lerned to reforme [CQ(2): affirme; F rafermer] oure corages agains that is comynge.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.3035 : His mannes forme ayein he tok, And was reformed to the regne In which that he was wont to regne.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.2945 : The king..thoghte..To don his sacrifice..His brother hele to pourchace, So that he mihte be reformed Of that he hadde be transformed [into a goshawk].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.2353 : Whan discord & false discencioun Allied ben..Among lordis, þat kyngdam may nat þryve Til þei reformed ben ageyn to pes.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)24/1 : Of my greet loue..my wil was to refoorme ȝou aȝeen to grace.
- c1440(?a1396) ?Hilton Angels' Song (Thrn)15/13 : Þe myghtes of þe saule er refourmede by grace to þe dignyte and þe state of þe firste condicione.
- c1470 Bible F.(Cleve-W q091.92-C468)70/12 : Oure Lord..refourmid the distrait men to good mynde and reson.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Prayer Leonard (LdMisc 683)28 : Suych as be pensiff, mak hem glad & murie; Distraut in thouht, reforme hem to resoun.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)968 : Sorowe of hert..reformyth man Ande makyt hym as clene as when he begane.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)1092 : Now ye haue forsake synne and be contryte..Now be ye reformyde to yowr bewtys bryght.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)204/4 : He rebukid the forsayden breenys and bourkeyns..and Ham to Pees reformed.
c
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)81/19 : Þe uayrhede of þe zaule..yelt and yefþ to þe zaule grace and uirtue and loue of god, uor hy reformeþ [Vices & V.(2): confourmeþ] and agrayþeþ and him yelt his ryȝte pryente.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.103 : After þe counseille of Edrik..pees was reformed [L reformata] in þis manere.
- a1400 Rolle Encom.Jesu (Hrl 1022)188 : Þis name Ihesu lele halden in mynde..wastes discorde, reformes pees.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)4702 : Charite..shal her bryghte beemys sprede..Forto reforme a-twixe Regyouns Pees and quyet, concord and vnyte.
- (1434) Misyn ML (Corp-O 236)125/10 : In vs it [charity] reformys þe ymage of þe he Trinite & makis þe creatur likkeste þe makar.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)9.1267 : The lordes..besied hem..Atween the brethre to refourme pes.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)228/16 : Thei do matrimonye that pees be reformede [SC(1): reformetur] or conformede by a-lye and affinite be-twyn pertyes.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)297 : Ther were..a gret noumbyr of prelatis, alle sette on this holy conclusion to reforme unite in Holy Cherch.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)6897 : Senys & counsaylles..contynuede many a day, To reforme the bewte Off the cherche by vnyte.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)79/27 : Pese were reformyd with a bettur condicion by-twene hem & strife I-cesid.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)4.7 : The light of godis face is the light of his grace that refourmes in vs his ymage.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)236/33 : The enemyes hadde sente message for pees to be reformyd.
d
- c1460 Oseney Reg.38/19 : Pluckers awey of them [church goods]..we denunce, and fro this present churche we sequestre them but þey leve and with meke satisfaccion cristes patrimonye be besy to reforme hit.
e
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)144.630 (v.2:p.439) : He ys reseyuyd into the felaschepe of aungels .. neuere withowte remembraunce and mynde of his brethyrn, but fully .. he shall byn a medyatour to reformyn hem to God.
2.
(a) To change (sb. or sth.) for the better, correct, improve; relieve (distress, a disease), remedy; also, purge (a land from evil); also, correct (sb.) by rebuke [quot.: c1450]; (b) to revise or amend (a book, an ordinance, an agreement, etc.); correct the writing of (an author); (c) to transform (sb., oneself, sth.); (d) to redress (a wrong, an injury, etc.), avenge; punish (sb. or sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1134 : Hym was loth for to do vengance, Wher-as he myȝt in esy wyse trete For to reforme þinges smale & grete.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2362 : I wil..do my bysynesse To reforme ȝoure greuous hevynesse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.3603 : He knew no maner cheuisaunce To refourme his vnhappi chaunce.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1420 : Best were for me to leue makynge Of englysh, & suche as ys amys To reformyn in my lyuynge.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)90 : Wolde God that the king of Ynglond wolde..reforme his lond..fro this seid wickid scole [of heresy].
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)122/15 : And þi broþur trespase..reforme hym be-twex þe and hym.
- (1460) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1305 : Al tho that ben fremen..to les x li..las than they wyll be reformyt as yer othte requiryth.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)7441 : Thyn errour to reforme, Thow must thy-sylff mekly confourme To thys garnement.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)prol.21 : Rewthe was if reson ne had reffourmed The myssecheff & þe mysserule þat men þo in endurid.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)148a/a : Þe surgean schal ȝeue good entent to reforme þe acuite of blood.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)2.13.39b : Sathanas..was confermyd in malice be symplenesse of his nature, ne he myght nout be reformed be cause of his vnchaungeabilte.
b
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.551 : Chaucer now, allas, is nat alyue Me to reforme or to be my rede.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)1/14 : The whilk boke..to reforme I make protestacyon, with entent no þinge to wryte..agayns þe faith..of holy kyrk.
- (1443) Proc.Privy C.5.326 : Hit wold please his saide roiall majeste..that suche grauntes of his grace so made bi for this tyme of his saide revenus wer duhely and graciously refourmet and remediet as hit please his highnesse.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.2 : This mater..passeth boþe my cunnyng and my myght, So saue it, lord..Þat kannest reformen alle þing to right.
- c1450 *Assem.Bk.1 Gild St.Geo.Norwich (Nrw-CMus) : Yf any ambiguite or dowte here afterward fall for the undirstondyng or the excucion of the seid articles..that then hyt to be refourmed and determyned be the avyce of the seid William Yeluerton.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)136 : Yff suche gyftis, and namely tho wich haue be made inconsideratle..were refourmed, and thai rewarded with money or offices..þe kyng shulde haue suche livelod..sufficiante ffor the mayntennance off his estate.
c
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.12.2 : Nyle ȝe be confoormed or maad lyk to this world, but be ȝe refoormed [L reformamini] in newenesse of ȝoure witt.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)Phil.3.21 : Crist..schal reformen þe body of oure humelnesse, þat is lyche þe body of his clernesse, after his worchynge.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)Rom.12.2 : Wyle ȝe not conforme ȝou to þis world but refourme ȝou ageyn in þo newenesse of ȝoure wit.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.372 : Þis Lord shal þan reforme bodies of his meke servauntis; Alȝif þei ben now deformed and scorned..þes bodies..shulden in blisse be like to þe bodi of Cristis clerenesse.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)380/40 : What-tyme þat hee is so purged of vices..hee schalle with-oute stintynge loue god & preyse god, refourmed into aungellis liknesse.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.8.5a : Þe þridde partie of contemplacioun..is whan a mannys soule first is refourmed bi fullhede of vertues to þe ymage of ihesu.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)127 : Bapten clensythe synne orygynall And reformyt þe sowll in feythe verray To þe gloryus lyknes of Gode eternall.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.313 : Hoso is nout kepere of Goddis comandementis..he is nout reformyd aȝen to þe lyknesse of trewþe þat he was mad aftir.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)39/18 : He fonde a litel partie of the brede in verey flesche..And when he made a prayer aȝeyn, he brouȝt the same part and reformed it in-to brede aȝeyn.
d
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5333 : Alle we Ben of oon wil to reforme oure wrong.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)2076 : God..Swich open wrong shal in hast redresse, And of his myght al such collusioun Reforme ageyn.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.2424 : He fond first lawes groundid on resoun..Alle iniuries and wrongis to refourme.
- (1440) *Proc.Chanc.PRO ser.C 1 file 9no.447 : This premissez..may be reformyd as lawe and conscience requiren.
- c1456(a1449) Lydg.Epistle Sibille (Ashm 59)77 : Amiddes þe gates of þat royal cytee Sete hir housbande..On trespassours to give his Jugement..Refourmynge wronge with vertuous besynesse.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3438 : & yee deme vntrewly, or do vs eny wrong, Yee shull be refourmyd, be ye nevir so strong, Of euery poynt and Iniury.
- (1461) Paston2.237 : ij or iij eyers had ben with my lorde and shewed her evidence..seyng þey haue had gret wrong, besechyng my lorde þat it myght be reformed.
- (?1471) Stonor1.118 : In your wysdome reformeth this matter, trustyng to you þat Grey shalle not be supported to my rebuke.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)31/16 : Þey drawe not norþe-warde butt..for to reforme and redresse ryot and mysrewle.
3.
(a) To make (sb. or sth.) again, re-create; restate (an agreement); (b) to reset or reshape (sth., a broken limb), put back in place; transplant (asparagus), replant.
Associated quotations
a
- (?1387) Wimbledon Serm.(Corp-C 357)114/847 : Ryȝt as in þe sixte day man was maad and formed, ryȝt so in þe sixe þousand of ȝeris he was bout aȝen and reformed.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3404 : In fleissh and blod he schal reforme, Whan time comth, the qwike and dede.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)378 : Þen carppez to Sir Gawan þe knyȝt in þe grene, 'Refourme we oure for-wardes, er we fyrre passe.'
- (1432) RParl.4.405a : The saide Statute..was by anoyer Statute..revoked and adnulled, unto right grete harm..Lyke it yerfore unto youre highnesse..to have ye saide first Statute of newe refourmed.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)2.4.66b : Sen þat man in his first fourmyng of god was set in his fre wil..it was þerfore resonable þat..if he schuld aftirward be reformid, þat he suld be set agayn in þe same fre chesyng.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)53b/a : For to conserue þe partyez refourmed [Ch.(2): replied; L replasmatas] & adduced togider in to one.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)54a/b : Þe 3a. entension, which is for to conserue þe partiez refourmed in to one to gider..is complete of gode & seming ligature, i. byndyng, and of dewe situacioun, i.settyng, & of sewyng if it be necessite.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)117b/b : In distensioun ar wirchers ywont..þe place first refourmed with handes or fete for to applie vpon þe place a lyn shete infused in colde water.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)179a/b : Induracioun falleþ in summe member þat is broken, þe whiche was euyl restored oþer sette..and ȝif it..schal be refourmed aȝeyne..þe place most be softend.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.637 : Sponge of sperage or new of sedis fourme Or olde as now me may sette & refourme.