King James Bible Dictionary

INFORM', verb transitive [Latin informo, to shape; in and formo, forma, form.]

Properly, to give form or shape to, but in this sense not used.

1. To animate; to give life to; to actuate by vital powers.

Let others better mold the running mass

Of metals, and inform the breathing brass.

Breath informs this fleeting frame.

--Breathes in our soul, informs our vital part.

[This use is chiefly or wholly poetical.]

2. To instruct; to tell to; to acquaint; to communicate knowledge to; to make known to by word or writing; usually followed by of. Before we judge, we should be well informed of the facts relating to the case. A messenger arrived and informed the commander of the state of the troops. Letters from Europe inform us of the commencement of hostilities between the Persians and Turks.

3. To communicate a knowledge of facts to one by way of accusation.

Tertullus informed the governor against Paul. Acts 24:1.

In this application the verb is usually intransitive; as, A informed against B.

INFORM', verb intransitive To give intelligence.

He might either teach in the same manner, or inform how he had been taught--

To inform against, to communicate facts by way of accusation; to give intelligence of a breach of law. Two persons came to the magistrate, and informed against adjective

INFORM', adjective [Latin informis.] Without regular form; shapeless; ugly.

INFORM'AL, adjective [in and formal.] Not in the regular or usual form; as an informal writing; informal proceedings.

1. Not in the usual manner; not according to custom; as an informal visit.

2. Not with the official forms; as the secretary made to the envoy an informal communication.

INFORMAL'ITY, noun [from informal.] Want of regular or customary form. The informality of legal proceedings may render them void.

INFORM'ALLY, adverb In an irregular or informal manner; without the usual forms.

INFORM'ANT, noun One who informs, or gives intelligence.

1. One who offers an accusation. [See Informer, which is generally used.]

INFORM'ATIVE, adjective Having power to animate.

INFORM'ED, participle passive Told; instructed; made acquainted.

INFORM'ER, noun One who animates, informs or gives intelligence.

1. One who communicates, or whose duty it is to communicate to a magistrate a knowledge of the violations of law, and bring the offenders to trial.

INFORM'IDABLE, adjective [in and formidable.] Not formidable; not to be feared or dreaded.

Foe not informidable

INFORM'ING, participle present tense Giving notice or intelligence; telling.

1. Communicating facts by way of accusation.

Informing officer, is an officer whose duty it is to inform against persons for breaches of law, as an attorney-general, a sheriff, constable, or grand juror.

A common informer, is any person who informs against another.

INFORM'ITY, noun [Latin informis.] Want of regular form; shapelessness.

INFORM'OUS, adjective [Latin informis.] Of no regular form or figure; shapeless.

INFORM'TION, noun [Latin informatio.]

1. Intelligence; notice, news or advice communicated by word or writing. We received information of the capture of the ship by an arrival at Boston. The information by the messenger is confirmed by letters.

2. Knowledge derived from reading or instruction.

He should get some information in the subject he intends to handle.

3. Knowledge derived from the senses or from the operation of the intellectual faculties.

The active informations of the intellect--

4. Communication of facts for the purpose of accusation; a charge or accusation exhibited to a magistrate or court. An information is the accusation of a common informer or of a private person; the accusation of a grand jury is called an indictment or a presentment.