▪ I. † inˈformed, a. Obs.
[f. in-3 + formed, after L. informis or F. informe.]
1. Of faith: = inform a. 2 b.
(This was an awkward use, suggesting the pa. pple. of inform v. 3, which would have the opposite meaning. Cf. uninformed, unformed.)
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 190 Fayth informed, al though it be imperfyte yet..it is fayth. Ibid. 186 b, But then fayth is an informed fayth, or a derke fayth. 1630 S. Lennard tr. Charron's Wisd. ii. v. §8 (1670) 262 A belief..such as the Scripture calleth historical, is diabolical, dead, informed, unprofitable. |
2. Unformed; imperfectly formed.
| 1635 Swan Spec. M. iii. §2 (1643) 47 An informed light, which on the fourth day had its perfect form. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 190 The latter [rushes] having a pith altogether inform'd. |
3. Astron. Applied to stars not formed into a constellation or forming part of one.
| 1696 Phillips (ed. 5), Informed Stars, such of the Fix'd Stars as are not rang'd under any Constellation or Form. |
Hence † inˈformedly adv.1, imperfectly, in an incomplete form.
| 1670–98 R. Lassels Voy. Italy I. 107 It was begun in marble by Michael Angelo, but informidly; and so left by him. |
▪ II. informed, ppl. a.
(ɪnˈfɔːmd, poet. ɪnˈfɔːmɪd)
[f. inform v. + -ed1.]
† 1. Put into form, formed, fashioned. Obs.
| 1596 Spenser Hymn Hon. Beautie 167 Doe still preserve your first informed grace, Whose shadow yet shynes in your beauteous face. |
2. Instructed; having knowledge of or acquaintance with facts; educated, enlightened, intelligent.
| 1549 Recorde Gr. Artes Pref. to Edw. VI (1640) A iij, When they consider that informed reason was the onely instrument. 1753 Chesterfield Lett. (1792) IV. 34 Whenever you are in company with informed and knowing people. 1780 Burke Sp. Econ. Ref. Wks. III. 343 There is nothing..that does not lie within the reach of an informed understanding. 1805 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. III. 322 The theoretical and presumptive reasonings of this informed author. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 13 July 6/3 Eliciting an informed and shrewd opinion upon an outlook so depressing. |
b. Now usually in well-informed, ill-informed.
| c 1440 Gesta Rom. i. lxxviii. 396 (Add. MS.) A woman moste fayre, and wise in good werkes, wele Enfourmyd, and deuoute. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World iii. (1634) 83 To measure honour or dishonour by the assurance of his well⁓informed conscience. 1824 Landor Imag. Conv. Wks. 1846 I. 138/2, I have observed among the well informed and the ill informed nearly the same quantity of infirmities and follies. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xviii. IV. 186 Not..known in the best informed circles of London. |
Hence inˈformedly adv.2, instructedly.
| 1642 J. Jackson Bk. Conscience 48 A Conscience informedly strong. 1922 Times Lit. Suppl. 10 Aug. 516/3 He deals briefly, but informedly, with the innumerable West African tribes. 1938 Ibid. 3 Sept. 573/2 There is in existence no other book dealing so thoroughly and so informedly with the problems of deafness. |
▸ informed consent n. Law permission granted in the knowledge of the possible consequences; (Med.) consent to a medical or surgical procedure given after all relevant information (esp. regarding potential risks and benefits) has been disclosed to the patient or the patient's guardian; an instance of such consent.
| 1940 Federal Reporter (U.S.) (2nd Ser.) 113 158/1 A trustee is not permitted to buy in the trust property on his own account without permission of the court or *informed consent of the beneficiaries. 1957 Pacific Reporter (1958) (2nd Ser.) 317 181/2 A physician violates his duty to his patient and subjects himself to liability if he withholds any facts which are necessary to form the basis of an intelligent consent to the proposed treatment... In discussing the element of risk a certain amount of discretion must be employed consistent with the full disclosure of facts necessary to an informed consent. 1980 Lancet 16 Feb. 376/2 After informed consent had been obtained, patients were withdrawn from therapy when they had been depression-free for a month. 1994 New Scientist 25 June 47/3 There is also a need for a policy of ‘prior informed consent’ whereby exporters of biotechnical products are required to inform an importing country of any restrictions or bans placed on their products. 2006 Daily Tel. 10 May 21/5 Patients wishing to undergo surgery and anaesthesia must give informed consent. |