reforming

[ ri-fawr-ming ]
/ rɪˌfɔr mɪŋ /

noun

Chemistry. the process of cracking low-octane petroleum fractions in order to increase the octane number.

Origin of reforming

First recorded in 1920–25; reform + -ing1

OTHER WORDS FROM reforming

an·ti·re·form·ing, adjective, noun un·re·form·ing, adjective

Definition for reforming (2 of 3)

re-form
[ ree-fawrm ]
/ riˈfɔrm /

verb (used with or without object)

to form again.

Origin of re-form

1300–50; Middle English; orig. identical with reform

OTHER WORDS FROM re-form

re-for·ma·tion, noun re-form·er, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-form

re-form reform

Definition for reforming (3 of 3)

Origin of reform

1300–50; (v.) Middle English reformen < Middle French reformer, Old French < Latin refōrmāre (see re-, form); (noun) partly derivative of the v., partly < French réforme

ANTONYMS FOR reform

OTHER WORDS FROM reform

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reform

re-form reform

Example sentences from the Web for reforming

British Dictionary definitions for reforming (1 of 2)

reform
/ (rɪˈfɔːm) /

verb

(tr) to improve (an existing institution, law, practice, etc) by alteration or correction of abuses
to give up or cause to give up a reprehensible habit or immoral way of life
chem to change the molecular structure of (a hydrocarbon) to make it suitable for use as petrol by heat, pressure, and the action of catalysts

noun

an improvement or change for the better, esp as a result of correction of legal or political abuses or malpractices
a principle, campaign, or measure aimed at achieving such change
improvement of morals or behaviour, esp by giving up some vice

Derived forms of reform

reformable, adjective reformative, adjective reformer, noun

Word Origin for reform

C14: via Old French from Latin reformāre to form again

British Dictionary definitions for reforming (2 of 2)

re-form
/ (riːˈfɔːm) /

verb

to form anew

Derived forms of re-form

re-formation, noun