Inform

• POS: Adjective, Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: in=form

CIDE DICTIONARY

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

 Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.  Cotton.  [1913 Webster]

Inform, v. t. [OE. enformen, OF. enformer, F. informer. L. informare; pref. in- in + formare to form, share, fr. forma form. See Form.].

•  To give form or share to; to give vital or organizing power to; to give life to; to imbue and actuate with vitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to fashion.  [1913 Webster]

  "Let others better mold the running mass
  Of metals, and inform the breathing brass."  [1913 Webster]

  "Breath informs this fleeting frame."  [1913 Webster]

  "Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part."  [1913 Webster]
•  To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to acquaint; to advise; to instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; -- usually followed by of.  [1913 Webster]

  "For he would learn their business secretly,
  And then inform his master hastily."  [1913 Webster]

  "I am informed thoroughly of the cause."  [1913 Webster]
•  To communicate a knowledge of facts to, by way of accusation; to warn against anybody.  [1913 Webster]

  "Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul."

Syn. -- To acquaint; apprise; tell; teach; instruct; enlighten; animate; fashion.

Inform, v. t. 

•  To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.  [1913 Webster]

  "It is the bloody business which informs
  Thus to mine eyes."  [1913 Webster]
•  To give intelligence or information; to tell.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

  "He might either teach in the same manner, or inform how he had been taught."  [1913 Webster]

To inform against, to communicate facts by way of accusation against; to denounce; as, two persons came to the magistrate, and informed against A.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Inform, v.
1 tr. (usu. foll. by of, about, on, or that, how + clause) tell (informed them of their rights; informed us that the train was late).
2 intr. (usu. foll. by against, on) make an accusation.
3 tr. (usu. foll. by with) literary inspire or imbue (a person, heart, or thing) with a feeling, principle, quality, etc.
4 tr. impart its quality to; permeate.

Derivative

informant n.

Etymology

ME f. OF enfo(u)rmer f. L informare give shape to, fashion, describe (as IN-(2), forma form)

THESAURUS

Inform

acquaint, advertise, advertise of, advise, animate, announce, apprise, babble, be indiscreet, be unguarded, betray, betray a confidence, blab, blabber, blurt, blurt out, break the news, brief, bring word, broaden the mind, catechize, civilize, communicate, demonstrate, direct, disclose, divulge, due, edify, educate, embue, endow, endue, enlighten, enliven, exalt, exhilarate, familiarize, fill in, finger, fire, forewarn, give a report, give away, give instruction, give lessons in, give notice, give the facts, give tidings of, give word, ground, guide, identify, illuminate, illumine, imbue, impart, implicate, incriminate, infect, inform on, infuse, inject, inoculate, inspire, inspirit, instruct, keep posted, leak, leave word, leaven, let drop, let fall, let know, let slip, mention to, nark, notify, open the eyes, peach, permeate, pimp, post, rat, reeducate, rehearse, relate, report, reveal, reveal a secret, rumor, school, send word, serve notice, set right, sharpen the wits, show, show how, sing, snitch, snitch on, speak, spill, spill the beans, spirit, spirit up, squeak, squeal, stool, talk, tattle, tattle on, teach, teach a lesson, teach the rudiments, tell, tell on, tell secrets, tell tales, tip off, turn in, verse, warn, write up

ROGET THESAURUS

Inform

Information

VB tell, inform, inform of, acquaint, acquaint with, impart, impart to, make acquaintance with, apprise, advise, enlighten, awaken, transmit, let fall, mention, express, intimate, represent, communicate, make known, publish, notify, signify, specify, convey the knowledge of, let one know, have one to know, give one to understand, give notice, set before, lay before, put before, point out, put into one's head, put one in possession of, instruct, direct the attention to, announce, annunciate, report, report progress, bringword, send word, leave word, write word, telegraph, telephone, wire, retail, render an account, give an account, state, let slip, blurt out, spill the beans, unburden oneself of, let off one's chest, disclose, show cause, explain, hint, given an inkling of, give a hint, drop a hint, throw out a hint, insinuate, allude to, make allusion to, glance at, tip the wink, suggest, prompt, give the cue, breathe, whisper, whisper in the ear, give a bit of one's mind, tell one plainly, tell once for all, speak volumes, undeceive, unbeguile, set right, correct, open the eyes of, disabuse, disillusion one of, be informed of, know, learn, get scent of, get wind of, gather from, awaken to, open one's eyes to, become alive, become awake to, hear, overhear, understand, come to one's ears, come to one's knowledge, reach one's ears.