I. ənˈfȯ(ə)rm, -o(ə)m verb
Etymology: Middle English enfourmen, informen, from Middle French enformer, enfourmer, from Latin informare, from in- in- (II) + formare to form — more at form
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to give material form to : mold or shape physically
b. : to set in order : arrange
2.
a. : to give character or essence to
to what extent can the practice of science inform , render more significant the objects of common sense — Gail Kennedy
a piety … quietly informing the outlook of men in politics as elsewhere — W.L.Miller
b. : to be the formative principle of
eternal objects inform actual occasions with hierarchic patterns — A.N.Whitehead
everything that is made from without and by dead rules, and does not spring from within through some spirit informing it — Oscar Wilde
c. : to permeate or impregnate so as to become the characteristic quality of : animate , inspire , infuse
these poems are informed with sincerity — Richard Eberhart
sentimental, Protestant ethos that has always informed his writing — L.A.Fiedler
3. obsolete : to form (the mind) in respect to character, disposition, or ability : train , discipline , instruct
4. obsolete : guide , direct
if old respect hither hath informed your younger feet — John Milton
5. obsolete : to make known : give instruction in (as a doctrine)
6. : to communicate knowledge to : make acquainted : tell , advise , enlighten
accused shall enjoy the right … to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation — U.S. Constitution
obligation as a citizen is to inform himself … regarding the controversial issues — Clifford Houston
program of informing the rest of the world about our way of life — H.H.Davis
intransitive verb
1. : to give information : impart knowledge
in theory news informs while advertising sells — Banking
2. : to give information or intelligence to a civil authority : lay information : act as a common informer
I shall not inform upon you — Oscar Wilde
Synonyms:
acquaint , apprise , advise , notify , advertise : These verbs signify to make aware or cognizant (of something). inform implies the imparting of knowledge, especially of facts or events necessary to the understanding of a pertinent matter
to inform the students there would be no classes on Saturday
kept the staff informed of Chinese public opinion concerning the American military action there — Current Biography
acquaint usually lays stress upon less centrally significant matter than inform does or suggests a process of introducing to or familiarizing with rather than informing of
these writings were of the nature of travel books, and served … to acquain the world with a new country — American Guide Series: Minnesota
acquainting students with political practices — F.A.Ogg & Harold Zink
To apprise someone of something is to communicate something usually of interest or importance to him
this church, so I was then apprised, was founded by St. James the Less — T.G.Henderson
Tristram's cutting the hazel and writing upon it with his knife in order to apprise the queen of his presence — Grace Frank
to touch him on the sleeve and apprise him that I was there — Mary Austin
To advise someone of something is to inform him of something that may make a significant difference to him in an action, policy, or plan; it often suggests a forewarning or counseling
consulted the wine card and advised me that the wine I had chosen had no special merit — R.M.Lovett
I advised him strongly of the danger of switching professions without acquiring new professional qualifications — R.G.G.Price
To notify is to send a notice or make a usually formal communication generally about something requiring or worthy of attention
the court clerk notified the witnesses when to appear
notify a man of his acceptance in a club
To advertise , rare in current use in this sense, is to inform or notify by way of warning
the translators, good Protestants, were careful to advertise the reader that what they offered was Le Clerc's Moreri — Times Literary Supplement
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle French informe, from Latin informis, from in- in- (I) + forma form — more at form
1. obsolete : lacking regular form : shapeless , deformed
2. obsolete : lacking created form : unformed