▪ I. inform, a.
(ɪnˈfɔːm)
[a. F. informe (15th–16th c. in Godef. Compl.), ad. L. informis shapeless, deformed, f. in- (in-3) + forma form.]
1. Having no definite or regular form; unshapen, misshapen, deformed. arch.
| 1555 Eden Decades 261 The damme with continuall lyckynge by lyttle and lyttle figurethe the informe byrthe. 1633 Hart Diet of Diseased iii. xxviii. 344 Metamorphosing the whole man into an informe monster. 1660 Jer. Taylor Duct. Dubit. iv. i. rule 3 §14 Not if it [the fœtus] was inform and unshapen. 1681 Cotton Wond. Peak Poet. Wks. (1765) 342 Bleak Crags, and naked Hills, And the whole Prospect so inform and rude. 1888 R. Buchanan City of Dream xi. 227 Moloch and Baal, two shapes Inform and monstrous. |
2. Without form; formless; of the nature of matter unendowed with ‘form’ or the informing principle: see form n. 4, inform v. 3.
| 1654 Vilvain Theorem. Theol. i. 25 An inform lump..without a Soul is neither Man nor Beast. 1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. v. (1701) 208/1 Nature in it self inform, when it receives form from God is the Angelick Mind. 1681 Wharton Disc. Soul World Wks. (1683) 648 God is Light, in which there is no Darkness; that is Form wherein there is nothing Inform. 1707 Norris Treat. Humility iv. 166 In the old creation we read of a void and inform mass. 1881 Blackie Lay Serm. v. 170 His transforming energy triumphs..over the inform domain of the unfruitful clod. |
b. inform (also informed, informal) inform faith (fides informis), in Scholastic Theology, faith that is not informed, vitalized or animated by charity (which is said to be the ‘form’ or formative principle of faith). Cf. informed a. 1.
[Cf. Thomas Aquinas Summa 2–2, q. 4, etc.; Petrus Lombardus 3. sent. dist. 23. lit. C.]
| a 1656 Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 269 Every faith makes not an effectual calling;..there is an inform, there is a counterfeit Faith. |
▪ II. inform, v.
(ɪnˈfɔːm)
Forms: α. 4–6 enfourme, 4–7 enforme, 5 enfoorme, 7–8 enform. β. 4–6 infowrme, 4–7 informe, 5–6 infourme, 6– inform.
[a. OF. enformer, -fourmer (mod.F. informer), ad. L. informāre to give form to, shape, fashion, form an idea of, describe, f. in- (in-2) + forma form. The Latin form of the prefix became common (as in F.) in the 16th c., and prevailed after 1600.
The primary sense had undergone various developments in ancient and med.Latin, and in French, before the word appeared in Eng.; hence the chronology of the senses in Eng. does not agree with the logical order. In general, branches I and III were in ancient L.; II was a Scholastic L. offshoot from I; IV was app. an Eng. offshoot from III, with the thing taught made the object, instead of the person taught.]
I. To give form to, put into form or shape.
† 1. a. trans. To put into (material) form or shape; to form, shape, frame, mould, fashion. Obs.
| 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. vi. 8 Infinite shapes of creatures..Informed in the mud on which the Sunne hath shynd. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iii. v. (1651) 345 If he found her, he may as happily find another; if he made her..he may as cheap inform another. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. i. §35 And so Omniety informed Nullity into an Essence. |
† b. To put into proper form or order, to arrange; to compose (a writing). Obs. † to enforme the pes (OF. enformer la pais), to compose or make peace.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 285 Þider..com þe tresorere..þat had bien messengere With þe Cardinalle forto enforme þe pes. 1382 Wyclif 1 Chron. xii. 33 Of Zabulon that..stoden in the scheltrun, enfourmed in armys of batail. a 1400–50 Alexander 2751 A pistill he enfourmes, Wrate a writt of his will, so sendis to his princes. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xxxix. 53 He enformed his somones, and sent..to kepe the towne and fronters..agaynst his ennemies. c 1646 Crashaw Poems, Music's Duel 87 Awakes his lute, and 'gainst the fight to come Informs it. 1654–66 Ld. Orrery Parthenissa (1676) 763 By that time I had informed these Resolutions, and dispatched these Expresses. |
† c. To delineate, sketch, describe. (A Latin sense.) Obs.
| 1615 Chapman Odyss. i. 1 The man, O Muse, inform, that many a way Wound with his wisdom to his wished stay. |
† 2. intr. To take form; to form or be formed; to appear in a visible shape. Obs.
| 1588 A. King tr. Canisius' Catech. 223 The Charitie of God is powred forth in thair hartes..and informes or inhæres in the same. 1605 Shakes. Macb. ii. i. 48 It is the bloody Businesse, which informes Thus to mine Eyes. 1652 News fr. Lowe-Countr. 1 When, first, the first confused Masse Did, from its mish mash medley, passe To those four segregated forms, Whose re-commixture now informs. |
II. To give ‘form’ or formative principle to: see form n. 4. (From Scholastic L. informare: Petrus Lombardus, etc.)
3. a. trans. To give ‘form’, formative principle, or determinative character to; hence, to stamp, impress, imbue, or impregnate with some specific quality or attribute; esp. to impart some pervading, active, or vital quality to, to imbue with a ‘spirit’; to fill or affect (the mind or heart) with a feeling, thought, etc.; to inspire, animate.
(The first quot. may belong to b; the second appears to contain the sense ‘to furnish with a practical example, to illustrate’.)
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. I. 115 Þus bi greetnesse of feiþ enfourmed wiþ charite ben siche soulis maad hool. c 1425 St. Christina xv. in Anglia VIII. 125/25 At þat be shewed wiþ ensaumpil, wee enforme hit þat wee haue seyde, wiþ a dede of Cristyne. 1607 Shakes. Cor. v. iii. 71 The God of Souldiers..informe Thy thoughts with Noblenesse. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. ii. ii. 61 If an iron be touched before..it admits not this magneticall impression, as being already informed by the Load-stone. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 13 ¶6 Could they..inform their Faces with as significant Looks and Passions. 1758 Blackstone Study of Law in Comm. (1765) I. 37 [To] inform them with a desire to be still better acquainted with the laws and constitution of their country. 1842 Tennyson Day-Dream, Sleeping Beauty ii, Her constant beauty doth inform Stillness with love, and day with light. 1861 Mill Utilit. ii. 32 The Christian religion is fitted to inform the hearts and minds of mankind with a spirit which should enable them to find for themselves what is right. |
b. Said of the quality or principle: To be the ‘form’ or formative principle of; to give a thing its essential quality or character, to make it what it is; to pervade as a spirit, inspire, animate.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 33 When feithe and grace of sacramentes informede the life of theyme [Cristen men]. 1605 Chapman Al Fooles i. i, Without loue..All vertues borne in men lye buried, For loue informes them as the Sunne dothe colours. 1667 Milton P.L. iii. 593 Not all parts like, but all alike informd With radiant light, as glowing Iron with fire. 1771 Muse in Miniature 144 This scull might once contain Some rich materials for the lofty strain, Enform'd, enrapt with more than mortal fire. 1814 Cary Dante, Paradise vii. 132 The elements..and what of them is made, Are by created virtue inform'd. 1821 Shelley Prometh. Unb. i. 249 Speak the words which I would hear, Although no thought inform thine empty voice. 1871 M. B. Betham-Edwards Sylvestres II. ii. 38 Even in..happy England the spirit of caste informs the very breath and life of the nation. |
c. spec. Of a soul or life: To impart life or spirit to; to inspire, animate, actuate.
| 1606 L. Bryskett Civ. Life 129 His opinion..that the soules were created in a certaine number, to the end they might informe so many bodies. c 1611 Chapman Iliad xxii. 311 A soul of iron informs thee. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. i. §12 If one Soul were so perfect as to inform three distinct Bodies, that were a petty Trinity. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles iii. 105 Plotinus and Hermes Trismegistus tel us ‘that Images were made as bodies to be informed by Ghosts as with souls’. 1700 Prior Carmen Sec. 403 Long as Breath informs this fleeting Frame. 1805 Wordsw. Prelude iv. 167 How the immortal soul with God-like power Informs, creates, and thaws the deepest sleep That time can lay upon her. 1878 B. Taylor Pr. Deukalion ii. iv. 81 By one soul Informed. |
III. To give form to the mind, to discipline, instruct, teach (a person), to furnish with knowledge.
4. trans. a. To form, mould, or train (the mind, character, etc.), esp. by imparting learning or instruction; hence, To impart instruction to (a person), to instruct, teach (in general sense); † to advise (quot. 1330). Now rare.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 315 Þo ilk men so wise suld go, and enforme zour kynges, Withouten mo justise or trauaile of oþer lordynges. a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxxi. 10 Vndirstandynge i sall gif till þe, and i sall enfourme þe [instruam te]. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 261/2 Informyn, or techyn, informo, instruo. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione iii. vi. 70 Visite me, lorde, ofte tymes, & enforme wiþ disciplines of konnyng. 1514 Barclay Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.) p. lxxii, His sight infourmeth the rude and ignorant. 1526 Tindale 1 Cor. ii. 16 For who knoweth the mynde of the lorde, other who shall informe hym? 1589 Nashe Almond for Parrat 10 a, The nouice that comes to be informed, desireth to enforme others, before he bee enformed himselfe. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. ii. iv. ii. (1651) 145 That leaves his son to a covetous Schoolemaster to be informed. 1794 Gifford Baviad 270 So may thy varied verse, from age to age Inform the simple, and delight the sage. 1824 G. W. Doane Hymn, ‘Thou art the Way’ ii, Thou only canst inform the mind. 1878 Morley J. De Maistre in Crit. Misc. 137 To guide and inform an universal conscience. |
† b. To train or discipline in some particular course of action; to instruct in some particular subject, doctrine, etc.; to teach how to do something. Const. of, to, in, with, or with inf. or subord. clause. Obs.
| c 1320 R. Brunne Medit. 238 In þe secunde þou mayst se How he enformed hem yn charyte. c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. i. pr. iii. 6 (Camb. MS.) Oonly for they weeren enformyd of myne maneres. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints, Nycholas 55 His fadir..Gert informe hyme besyly In liberale hartis sutely. 1382 Wyclif Dan. xii. 3 Thei that lernen [gloss or enfourmen] manye to riȝtwijsnesse. c 1400 Destr. Troy iii. heading, Medea enformed Iason to get the fflese of Golde. a 1529 Skelton Replyc. Wks. 1843 I. 209 They were but febly enformed in maister Porphiris problemes. 1529 More Dyaloge i. Wks. 132/2 He nedeth not our aduice to enforme hym what thing were sufficient occasion to worke hys wonders for. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. xxvi. (Arb.) 67 Musicians..by good admonitions enformed them to the frugall and thriftie life all the rest of their dayes. 1607 Hieron Wks. (1624) I. 334 First, to teach vs to eschew Euill, and then to enforme vs how to doe good. 1736 Butler Analogy ii. viii. 393 Nor are we informed by nature, in future contingencies and accidents. |
† c. To give instructions or directions for action; to instruct, direct, bid (to do something). Obs.
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 351 And þei enformen þer cuntreis to holde stifli wiþ þer pope. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 229 To done as he was last enformed. c 1449 Pecock Repr. i. xiii. 66 Enformyng and tising ther to vnsufficient[l]i leerned clerkis. 1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. (1661) 201 But, the voice from Heaven enformed him otherwise. Bade him, Rise, kill, eat. 1740 Shenstone Judgm. Hercules 268 And gentle zephyrs..For thy repose inform..Their streams to murmur and their winds to sigh. |
† d. To direct, guide. Obs.
| 1634 Milton Comus 180 Where else Shall I inform my unacquainted feet, In the blind mazes of this tangled wood? 1671 ― Samson 335 If old respect.. hither hath informed Your younger feet. 1846 Keble Lyra Innoc. (1873) 129 Strange powers their course inform. |
5. a. To impart knowledge of some particular fact or occurrence to (a person); to tell (one) of or acquaint (one) with something; to apprise. Const. of, about, on, or with subordinate clause; rarely † with, † in, or second obj. The prevailing modern sense.
| c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 327 Enformed whan the kyng was of that knyght. c 1400 Destr. Troy 3011 He was enformyt before of þat fre lady, Þat ho to Castor..accounttid was euon, And to Pollux, pure suster. 1529 More in Four C. Eng. Lett. 11, I am enfourmed by my son Heron of the loss of our barnes. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 141 b, Some have enformed me that my realme was never so riche. 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 116 They were enformed that Paul taught the dispersed Jews not to circumcise their children. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. ii. §34, I have for that cause informed the Bishop of Dublin with all mine occurrences. 1713 Addison Cato v. i. 24 This in a moment brings me to an end; But this informs me I shall never die. 1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Mrs. Thistlethwayte 4 Jan., I would gladly be informed of the news among you. 1775 Sheridan Rivals Pref. p. viii, For on subjects on which the mind has been much informed, invention is slow of exerting itself. 1787 William of Normandy II. 10 Soon were they informed the deceitful cause. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 360 Ascham informs us that..Elizabeth understood Greek better than the canons of Windsor. 1841 Lane Arab. Nts. I. 85 He informed him who he was. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. ii. 13 We were informed of the descent of an avalanche by the sound. 1863 G. Macdonald D. Elginbrod III. iii. x. 170 Do not hesitate to inform us on all possible subjects. 1880 Disraeli Endym. II. lxi. 255 It must be a mind..fairly informed on the questions involved in the wealth of nations. 1888 Mrs. H. Ward R. Elsmere III. xliii. 254 The Frenchman..had been informed about him. 1944 P. Cheyney They never say When xi. 172 It seems an amazing thing that you didn't inform someone about this. 1963 S. Brorström Increasing Frequency Preposition ‘About’ viii. 323 ‘Inform about’ is an accepted construction in sentences like ‘Did he inform you about it?’, ‘I wasn't informed about it’, i.e. in sentences where the preposition is followed by it. |
b. spec. To furnish (a magistrate or the like) with accusatory information against a person. (Cf. information 4, 5.)
| 1526 Tindale Acts xxiv. 1 Ananias..with senioures, and with a certayne oratour named Tartullus,..enfourmed the ruelar agaynst Paul. |
c. With quoted words as object.
| 1877 My Mother-in-Law xii. 112 ‘Baby is not very well, Charlie,’ Bessie informed me. 1881 Mrs. J. H. Riddell Senior Partner I. xiv. 290 ‘Ye're out of your mind, Janet,’ Mr. McCullagh informed her. |
6. refl. [= F. s'informer] (from 4 and 5). To gain knowledge, instruction, or information; to acquaint oneself with something; to get to know, to learn. Const. as in 4 and 5.
| 1611 Shakes. Wint. T. ii. i. 167 Informe your selues, We neede no more of your aduice. 1623 Gouge Serm. Extent God's Provid. §15 The Bishop of London..sent to me to inform myself thorowly of the whole businesse. 1697 W. Dampier Voy. I. 114 They confessed that they came purposely to view our Ship, and..to inform themselves what we were. 1747 in Col. Rec. Pennsylv. (1851) V. 84 To inform myself how you do and what passes among the Indians. 1775 C. Johnston Pilgrim 208 The motive..was to inform myself particularly in the laws. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 36 Edward..requires his ambassador to observe the young prince, and to inform himself of his character and disposition. |
7. absol. or intr. † a. To give information; to report. Obs.
| 1605 Shakes. Macb. i. v. 34 Is not thy Master with him? who, wer't so, Would haue inform'd for preparation. 1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. iv. (1701) 134/1 They held that the Senses inform not always truly. 1683 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) I. 287 Letters from Hungary inform of the good news of the emperors forces..haveing taken Gran. |
b. To lay or exhibit an information, bring a charge or complaint (against, rarely on).
| 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 122 Sinisterly to speake, or otherwise to enforme against them. 1588–9 Act 31 Eliz. c. 5 §3 Any suche officers of recorde, as have..heretofore laufullye used to exhibite informacions, or sue upon penall lawes..may informe and pursue in that behalfe, as they might have done before the making of this Acte. 1605 Shakes. Lear iv. ii. 93 'Twas he inform'd against him. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xxi, Even though it may benefit the public, you must not inform against him. 1809 R. Langford Introd. Trade 9 Parties have reason to fear being informed against. 1884 Sir J. C. Day in Law Rep. 14 Q. Bench Div. 201 It seems to me doubtful whether the Crown can appoint anybody to go into Court and inform other than the Attorney General. 1889 Boldrewood Robbery under Arms xxiv, Somebody had informed on the man. |
IV. To instruct in (a thing), impart the knowledge of, make known.
† 8. trans. To impart the knowledge of (a subject, doctrine, method of action, etc.); to give instruction in, to teach. a. To inform a person a thing. Obs.
| 1390 Gower Conf. I. 132, I woll sue What thing, that ye me woll enforme. c 1394 P. Pl. Crede 272 Knowest þou ouȝt..a creatour on erþe, Þat coude me my Crede teche and trewliche enfourme. c 1450 Merlin 5 And so he taught and enformed hem here creaunce and feith. 1529 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. xiv. 252 No persone..shall enfourme or teche eny Foren, other than hys Apprentyce, eny poynte of his Crafte. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. i. i. i. (1651) 3 These chastisements are inflicted upon us..to informe and teach us wisdome. |
† b. To inform a thing. Obs.
| a 1340 Hampole Psalter Prol. 3 The sange of psalmes..quemes god, it enformes perfytnes, it dos away and distroys noy and angire of saule. c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. i. pr. iv. 13 (Addit. MS.) Certis thou enfourmedist [Camb. MS. conformedest]..þis sentence, þat is to seyne þat commune þinges or comunabletes weren blysful yif [etc.]. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xv. 548 Al for to enforme þe faith in fele contreyes. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. xviii. (Arb.) 53 These Eglogues came after to containe and enforme morall discipline. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. vi. §1 The bounds of this knowledge are, that it sufficeth to convince atheism, but not to inform religion. |
† 9. To impart the knowledge of (a fact or occurrence); to make known, report, relate, tell. a. To inform a person a thing: To let him know a thing, that something is, etc. Obs.
Here the personal object may be viewed as a dative: cf. the constr. with to in b. The thing told may in passive construction be expressed by the pronoun it introducing a subordinate clause (‘it was informed me that..’); this is distinguished from the construction with subordinate clause in 5, in that the passive form of the latter has the person as subject (‘I was informed that..’).
| c 1400 Mandeville (1839) viii. 82 He commanded..to enforme me pleynly alle the Mysteries of Every place. 1470–85 Malory Arthur vi. vii, For as it is enformed me thou..hast done grete despyte and shame vnto knyghtes of the round table. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cclv. 378 The vicount of Rochechoart was had in suspecte; for it was enfourmed the prince, howe he wolde turne frenche. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 61 It is informed us that your young and ryotous people will ryse. 1765 Colman tr. Terence 170 Did not you inform him The bent of my affections? 1797 Southey Lett. (1856) I. 46 My mother will inform you my town direction as soon as I have one. 1810 Ho. Lancaster I. 149, I am compelled to inform you the reason of the meeting. |
† b. To inform a thing (to a person). Sometimes spec. To make known or tell as an informer or accuser. Obs.
| a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) M iij, It shulde be informed to the senate. 1557 North tr. Gueuara's Diall Pr. 134 b, The sonne informed the quarel to the Phylosopher. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia v. (1674) 461 Whatsoever hath been informed, was my fault. 1601 Shakes. All's Well iv. i. 91 Haply thou mayst informe Something to saue thy life. a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Bl. Brother iii. i, What affairs inform these out-cries? 1635 Laud Wks. (1853) V. 336 My lord the bishop informs that that county is very full of impropriations. 1655 Sir E. Nicholas in N. Papers (Camden) II. 311 Admitting..all to bee true which hee hath informed, can there bee a greater act of baseness then to betray a confident? 1681 Burnet Hist. Ref. II. 67 It being informed to the Council, that Gardiner had written to some of that Board. 1711 Light to Blind in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 142 A deserter came from the English army into the town, and informed that there was eight pieces of battering-cannon..on the roade from Dublin. 1753 Pococke Descr. East I. 119 My servant talk'd..as if he was a spy, and had inform'd what presents I had made. |