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Glite Dictionary
proto-Reformation

proto-Reformation

9.9
Religious movements before the Protestant Reformation that helped lead to it
  • noun
  • /ˌproʊtoʊˌrɛfərˈmeɪʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : proto-reforma
  • Some historians argue that the teachings of John Wycliffe represented a proto-Reformation movement.

Examples

  • The proto-Reformation period saw increasing calls for reform within the Catholic Church.

  • Scholars study the proto-Reformation to understand the roots of religious change in Europe.

  • The proto-Reformation laid the groundwork for later religious changes.

  • Many historians study the proto-Reformation to understand its impact.

  • Scholars study the proto-Reformation to understand the roots of religious change in Europe.

  • The proto-Reformation period saw increasing calls for reform within the Catholic Church.

  • Some historians argue that the teachings of John Wycliffe represented a proto-Reformation movement.

Surface Forms

proto-Reformation singular
proto-Reformations plural

Morphology

proto-Reformation = Reformation (transparent) = proto + reform + ation

The word transparently means 'before the Reformation,' with proto- clearly indicating an earlier stage.

Etymology

Proto-Reformation joins proto- meaning 'first' or 'earlier' with reformation from reform meaning 'to change for the better'. So a proto-Reformation is an early religious movement that helped bring about the big church reforms of the 1500s.