- reformatory
- reformatory (adj.) 1704, from pp. stem of L. reformare (see REFORM (Cf. reform)). As a noun, “house of correction for juveniles,” from 1758.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
reformatory
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Reformatory — is a term that has had varied meanings within the penal system, depending on the jurisdiction and the era. It may refer to a youth detention center, or an adult correctional facility. The term is still in popular use for adult facilities… … Wikipedia
reformatory — re·for·ma·to·ry /ri fȯr mə ˌtōr ē/ n pl ries: a penal institution to which esp. young or first offenders are committed for training and reformation Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. reformatory … Law dictionary
Reformatory — Re*form a*to*ry ( t?*r?), a. Tending to produce reformation; reformative. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Reformatory — Re*form a*to*ry, n.; pl. { ries} ( r?z). An institution for promoting the reformation of offenders. [1913 Webster] Magistrates may send juvenile offenders to reformatories instead of to prisons. Eng. Cyc. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Reformatory — (engl., spr. rifórmǟtŏrĭ), Besserungsanstalt (s. d.), aber auch die nach der Besserungstheorie eingerichtete Strafanstalt, so in Elmira (s. d.) … Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon
reformatory — [n] reform school boot camp*, cooler*, correctional facility, correctional institution, jail, penal institution, penitentiary, prison, training school; concepts 439,449,516 … New thesaurus
reformatory — ☆ reformatory [ri fôr′mə tôr΄ē ] adj. reforming or aiming at reform n. pl. reformatories 1. an institution to which young offenders convicted of lesser crimes are sent for training and discipline intended to reform rather than punish them 2. a… … English World dictionary
reformatory — n. (now AE; obsol.) at, in a reformatory (he spent time at/in a reformatory) * * * [rɪ fɔːmət(ə)rɪ] in a reformatory (he spent time at/in a reformatory) (now AE; obsol.) at … Combinatory dictionary
reformatory — /ri fawr meuh tawr ee, tohr ee/, adj., n., pl. reformatories. adj. 1. serving or designed to reform: reformatory lectures; reformatory punishments. n. 2. Also called reform school. a penal institution for reforming young offenders, esp. minors.… … Universalium
reformatory — /rəˈfɔmətri / (say ruh fawmuhtree) adjective 1. serving or designed to reform: reformatory schools. –noun (plural reformatories) Also, reform school. 2. a penal institution for the reformation of young offenders …
