reforming
UK[rɪˈfɔːmɪŋ]US[rɪˈfɔːrmɪŋ]
v
The present participle or gerund of the verb 'reform', meaning to make changes in something, especially an institution or practice, in order to improve it.
v
The act of stopping or causing someone to stop behaving in a criminal or immoral way.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
form
ing
re
again
form
shape
ing
verb suffix
Etymology
The word 'reforming' is built upon the core verb 'reform,' which entered English in the 14th century from Old French 'reformer,' itself derived from Latin 'reformare.' This Latin verb is a compound of the prefix 're-' (signifying "again" or "back to a previous state") and 'formare' ("to shape" or "to mold"), from 'forma' ("a shape, mold, pattern"). The literal sense is thus "to shape again." The modern abstract meaning evolved from this concrete idea of reshaping or remolding, applying it to institutions, behaviors, or systems to improve or restore them to a better form. The suffix '-ing' is a native English grammatical marker indicating ongoing action or state.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + form (shape) + ing (verb suffix)
- re: A Latin prefix meaning "again" or "back."
- form: From Latin 'forma', meaning "shape," "mold," or "pattern." It functions as the core root.
- ing: An Old English suffix used to form the present participle or gerund of verbs.
Examples
The government is committed to reforming the healthcare system.
His time in the program was dedicated to reforming his character.
The reforming of old habits requires consistent effort and patience.