D defs.my
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Entry 6 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Inform

/ĭnˌ-fôrm'/ · In·form · IPA /ɪnˈfɔɹm/
01 a. Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
  1. 1.
    Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
02 v. t. 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; t…
imp. & p. p. Informed; p. pr. & vb. n. Informing
  1. 1.
    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.
    “Let others better mold the running mass Of metals, and inform the breathing brass.” — Dryden.
    “Breath informs this fleeting frame.” — Prior.
    “Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part.” — Pope.
  2. 2.
    To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to acquaint; to advise; to instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; -- usually followed by of.
    “For he would learn their business secretly, And then inform his master hastily.” — Spenser.
    “I am informed thoroughly of the cause.” — Shak.
  3. 3.
    To communicate a knowledge of facts to, by way of accusation; to warn against anybody.
    “Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul.” — Acts xxiv. 1.
Syn. To acquaint; apprise; tell; teach; instruct; enlighten; animate; fashion.
03 v. t. To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
  1. 1.
    To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.[Obs.]
    “It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes.” — Shak.
  2. 2.
    To give intelligence or information; to tell.
    “He might either teach in the same manner, or inform how he had been taught.” — Monthly Rev.
Phrases & compounds
To inform against — to communicate facts by way of accusation against; to denounce; as, two persons came to the magistrate, and informed against A.