n.
1.improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices etc.
2.a religious movement of the 16th century that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the creation of Protestant churches
3.rescuing from error and returning to a rightful course
Idiom of the Day
by fits and starts
irregularly, with many stops and starts
By fits and starts the company was able to begin business.