inform

present singular third person informs · participle present informing · participle past informed · past informed · alternative enform

1. archaictransitiveTo instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
2. transitiveTo communicate knowledge to.

   I am informed thoroughly of the cause.

   c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

   1 more example

   For he would learn their business secretly, / And then inform his master hastily.

   1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: acquaint

3. intransitiveTo impart information or knowledge.
4. To act as an informer; denounce.

   Synonyms: dob

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

   His sense of religion informs everything he writes.

   4 more examples

   But others declare that no Creature can be made or tranſmuted into a better or vvorſe, or transformed into another ſpecies or ſimilitude, by man, or devill. […] Martinus [i.e., Martin] Delrio the Jeſuit accounts this degeneration of Man into a Beaſt to be an illuſion, deceptive and repugnant to Nature; for, the ſoule of man cannot informe a beaſts body, […]

   1653, John Bulwer, “Scene XXIIII. Cruell and Fantasticall Inventions of Men Practised upon Their Bodies in a Supposed Way of Bravery, and Wicked Practices both of Men and Devils to Alter and Deforme the Humane Fabricke”, in Anthropometamorphosis: Man Transform’d; or, The Artificial Changling […], 2nd edition, London: […] William Hunt, →OCLC, page 521

   Let others better mould the running mass / Of metals, and inform the breathing brass

   1697, Virgil, “The Sixth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 397, lines 1169-1170

   O! long as breath informs this fleeting frame / Ne'er let me pass in silence Dorset's name

   1858, Matthew Prior, The poetical works of Matthew Prior, Edinburgh: Printed by Ballantyne and Company, page 120, line 401

   WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets.

   2013 June 7, Gary Younge, “Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 18

6. intransitiveobsoleteTo make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
7. formaltransitiveTo direct, guide.

   Don’t forget the code of ethics that informs this profession.

8. archaicintransitiveTo take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.

   It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes.

   c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

   Synonyms: materialize

1. not comparableWithout regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.

   Bleak Crags, and naked Hills, And the whole Prospect so inform and rude

   1765, Charles Cotton, “Wonders of Peake”, in Poetical Works, page 342