INFORM

inform

(verb) give character or essence to; “The principles that inform modern teaching”

inform

(verb) impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to; “I informed him of his rights”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology 1

Verb

inform (third-person singular simple present informs, present participle informing, simple past and past participle informed)

(archaic, transitive) To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).

(transitive) To communicate knowledge to.

(intransitive) To impart information or knowledge.

To act as an informer; denounce.

(transitive) To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).

(obsolete, intransitive) To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.

(obsolete, transitive) To direct, guide.

(archaic, intransitive) To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.

Synonyms

• (communicate knowledge to (trans.)): acquaint, apprise, notify; See also inform

• (act as informer): dob, name names, peach, snitch; See also rat out

• (take form): materialize, take shape; See also come into being

Etymology 2

Adjective

inform (not comparable)

Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.

Anagrams

• F minor, Morfin, formin

Source: Wiktionary

In*form", a. Etym: [L. informis; pref. in- not + forma form, shape: cf. F. informe]

Definition: Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed. Cotton.

In*form", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Informed; p. pr. & vb. n. Informing.] Etym: [OE. enformen, OF. enformer, F. informer. L. informare; pref. in- in + formare to form, share, fr. forma form. See Form.]

1. To give form or share to; to give vital ororganizing power to; to give life to; to imbue and actuate with vitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to fashion. "The informing Word." Coleridge. Let others better mold the running mass Of metals, and inform the breathing brass. Dryden. Breath informs this fleeting frame. Prior. Breathes in our soul,informs our mortal part. Pope.

2. To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to acquaint; to advise; to instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; -- usually followed by of. For he would learn their business secretly, And then inform his master hastily. Spenser. I am informed thoroughky of the cause. Shak.

3. To communicate a knowledge of facts to,by way of accusation; to warn against anybody. Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul. Acts xxiv. 1.

Syn.

– To acquaint; apprise; tell; teach; instruct; enlighten; animate; fashion.

In*form", v. t.

1. To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear. [Obs.] It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes. Shak.

2. To give intelligence or information; to tell. Shak. He might either teach in the same manner,or inform how he had been taught. Monthly Rev. To inform against, to communicate facts by way of accusation against; to denounce; as, two persons came to the magistrate, and informed against A.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition