inform 1
— informable , adj. — informingly , adv.
/in fawrm"/ , v.t.
1. to give or impart knowledge of a fact or circumstance to: He informed them of his arrival.
2. to supply (oneself) with knowledge of a matter or subject: She informed herself of all the pertinent facts.
3. to give evident substance, character, or distinction to; pervade or permeate with manifest effect: A love of nature informed his writing.
4. to animate or inspire.
5. Obs.
a. to train or instruct.
b. to make known; disclose.
c. to give or impart form to.
v.i.
6. to give information; supply knowledge or enlightenment: a magazine that entertains more than it informs.
7. inform on , to furnish incriminating evidence about (someone) to an authority, prosecuting officer, etc.: He informed on his accomplices.
[ 1275-1325; ME informen informare to form, shape, equiv. to in- IN- 2 + formare to FORM; r. ME enfourmen enfourmer ]
Syn. 1. apprise; notify, advise, tell. 2. acquaint.
inform 2
/in fawrm"/ , adj. Obs.
without form; formless.
[ 1545-55; informis formless, deformed, equiv. to in- IN- 3 + -formis -FORM ]