reformatory

[ri-fawr-muh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /rɪˈfɔr məˌtɔr i, -ˈtoʊr i/
adjective
1.
serving or designed to reform:
reformatory lectures; reformatory punishments.
noun, plural reformatories.
2.
Also called reform school. a penal institution for reforming young offenders, especially minors.
Origin
1580-90; < Latin refōrmāt(us) (see reformation) + -ory1, -ory2
Related forms
prereformatory, adjective
pseudoreformatory, adjective
Examples from the web for reformatory
  • This, along with all their other aspirations, is eradicated when the boys are inadvertently shipped off to a reformatory.
British Dictionary definitions for reformatory

reformatory

/rɪˈfɔːmətərɪ; -trɪ/
noun (pl) -ries
1.
Also called reform school. (formerly) a place of instruction where young offenders were sent for corrective training Compare approved school
adjective
2.
having the purpose or function of reforming
Word Origin and History for reformatory
adj.

1704, from past participle stem of Latin reformare "to transform, change" (see reform (v.)). As a noun, "house of correction for juveniles," from 1758.

Encyclopedia Article for reformatory

industrial school

correctional institution for the treatment, training, and social rehabilitation of young offenders.

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