informv.

Brit.

/ɪnˈfɔːm/, U.S.

/ᵻnˈfɔrm/

Forms:

α. Middle English enfforme, Middle English enfoorme, Middle English enfowrme (Irish English), Middle English–1600s enforme, Middle English–1600s enfourme, 1500s enfurme, 1600s–1700s enform; Scottish pre-1700 enforme, pre-1700 enfourme.

β. Middle English informie, Middle English ynforme, Middle English–1500s infourme, Middle English–1600s informe, 1500s infourm, 1500s ynform, 1500s– inform; Scottish pre-1700 infforme, pre-1700 informe, pre-1700 infourme, pre-1700 infowrme, pre-1700 infurme, pre-1700 1700s– inform.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French informer; Latin informāre.

Etymology: (i) Anglo-Norman enfourmer, enfurmer, infourmer, Anglo-Norman and Middle French enformer, informer (French informer ) to shape, fit (12th cent. in Old French), (reflexive) to take on a certain form (13th cent.), (reflexive) to enquire (about something), to acquaint oneself (with something), to get to know or be informed about (something) (13th cent.), to tell or instruct (someone about something) (13th cent.), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin informāre to give form to, shape, fashion, to describe, to form in the mind, to form an idea of, to mould (a person, or a person's mind) by instruction, in post-classical Latin also to give form or nature to (6th cent.), to guide (10th cent.), to act as informer, give information (c1125, 1282 in British sources), (in philosophy) to infuse with form (frequently from early 12th cent. in British and continental sources), (in philosophy) to subject to a formal cause (frequently from mid 13th cent. in British sources), to cause to understand (frequently from late 13th cent. in British sources) < in- in- prefix³ + forma form n. Compare Old Occitan enformar, Catalan enformar (13th cent.), informar (1304), Spanish enformar (13th cent.; now archaic), informar (early 14th cent.), Portuguese informar (14th cent.), enformar (14th cent.), Italian informare (a1294).

I. To shape the mind, character, etc.; to instruct, teach, train; to provide with knowledge. Cf. form v.¹ 2.

a. transitive. To give instruction to (a person, the mind, etc.); to educate, teach, train; (later more generally) to impart knowledge or learning to (cf. sense 2). Also intransitive.In quot. ?a1400: †to advise (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

society > education > [verb (transitive)]

tighta1000

teec1000

thewc1175

forma1340

informc1350

nurturec1475

train1531

breeda1568

train1600

to lick (a person or thing) into (shape , etc.)1612

scholar1807

educate1826

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > advise [verb (transitive)]

redeOE

rothec1175

beredea1225

counsel1297

informc1350

richc1400

accounsel1509

persuade1525

vise1528

underprompt1548

aread1559

resolve1579

direct1776–81

c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) xxxi. 10 (MED) Y shal heue [sc. give] to þe vnderstondyng, seid our Lord, and y shal en-fourme þe.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Psalms civ. 22 That he [sc. Joseph] shulde enforme [L. erudiret; a1425 L.V. lerne] his princis as hymself [sc. the king]; and his olde men prudence he shulde teche [L. doceret].

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 315 (MED) Þo ilk men so wise suld go & enforme ȝour kynges, Withouten mo justise or trauaile of oþer lordynges.

Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 261 Informyn, or techyn, informo, instruo.

a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 70 (MED) Visite me, lorde, ofte tymes & enforme wiþ disciplines of konnyng.

a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxxi. 10 Vndirstandynge i sall gif till þe, and i sall enfourme [L. instruam] þe.

?1521 A. Barclay Bk. Codrus & Mynalcas sig. D His sight enfourmeth, the rude and ignorant.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) 1 Cor. ii. 16 For who knoweth the mynde of the lorde, other who shall informe hym?

?1589 T. Nashe Almond for Parrat sig. 10 The nouice that comes to be informed, desireth to enforme others, before he bee enformed himselfe.

1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iv. ii. 194 That leaues his son to a covetous Schoolmaster to be informed.

1666 Bp. S. Parker Free Censvre Platonick Philos. (1667) 77 A huge lushious stile..rather loaths and nauceats a discreet understanding, than informs and nourishes it.

1710 J. Norris Treat. Christian Prudence vii. 327 The Prudent Christian will be sure to give all diligence to inform his Conscience aright in the full extent of his Christian Duty, that so he may neither act wrong, nor be accountable for not knowing what was right.

1791 W. Gifford Baviad 256 So may thy varied verse, from age to age Inform the simple, and delight the sage.

a1795 S. Bishop Poet. Wks. (1796) II. 99 Sense quick to learn, and glad t'inform.

1824 G. W. Doane Songs by Way 23 Thou only canst inform the mind.

1878 J. Morley J. de Maistre in Crit. Misc. 137 To guide and inform an universal conscience.

1927 Hispania 10 409 He desires that beautiful fiction be based on truth and observation..; it may teach and inform..and it must be moral to be beautiful.

1959 D. Johnston In Search of Swift ii. 11 What..could be more convenient and authentic than a man's own account of himself—always assuming that his intention is to inform us, and not the reverse?

1993 A. R. Ammons Garbage 50 The words do for us what other languages do for others—they warn, inform, reassure, compare, present.

b. transitive. To train or instruct (a person) in a particular course of action; to educate or give information about some subject, doctrine, etc.; to teach or apprise how to do something. Also intransitive.Chiefly with about, as to, on, or subordinate clause; formerly also with †in, †of, †to, †with or with infinitive.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)]

i-taechec888

lerec900

iwisseOE

to teach a personc1000

wisc1000

ylereOE

avayc1315

readc1330

learna1382

informc1384

beteacha1400

form1399

kena1400

redec1400

indoctrinea1450

instructc1449

ensign1474

doctrine1475

introduct1481

lettera1500

endoctrinec1500

to have (a person) in schooling?1553

lesson1555

tutor1592

orthographize1596

pupil1599

con1612

indoctrinate1621

art1628

doctrinate1631

document1648

verse1672

documentizea1734

form1770

intuit1776

skill1809

indoctrinize1861

society > education > teaching > training > train [verb (transitive)]

to teach of1297

exercec1374

informc1384

schoolc1456

break1474

instruct1510

nuzzle1519

train1531

train1542

frame1547

experience?c1550

to trade up1556

disciplinea1586

disciple1596

nursle1596

accommodate1640

educate1643

model1665

form1711

to break in1785

scholar1807

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. xii. 3 Thei that lernen, or enfourmen [L. erudiunt], manye to riȝtwijsnesse.

a1400 (?a1325) Medit. on Supper of our Lord (Harl.) (1875) l. 238 (MED) Þou mayst se How he enformed hem yn charyte.

?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. i. pr. iii. 66 [Socrates, Zeno, etc.] weren enformyd [L. instituti] of myne [sc. Philosophy's] maneris.

c1480 (a1400) St. Nicholas 55 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 482 His fadir..gert informe hyme besyly In liberale hartis sutely.

1528 J. Skelton Honorificatissimo: Replycacion agaynst Yong Scolers sig. Aii^v They were but febly enformed in maister Porphiris problemes.

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 12^v (heading) How Medea enformed Iason to get the fflese of Golde.

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. xxvi. 42 Musicians..by good admonitions enformed them to the frugall & thriftie life all the rest of their dayes.

1607 S. Hieron Platforme Obed. in Wks. (1620) I. 334 First, to teach vs to eschew Euill, and then to enforme vs how to doe good.

1671 W. Salmon Synopsis Medicinæ Introd. 3 Physical Precepts..only grosly inform the Mind, how to..Cure Diseases.

1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. viii. 282 Nor are we informed by Nature, in future Contingencies and Accidents.

1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals Pref. p. viii For on subjects on which the mind has been much informed, invention is slow of exerting itself.

1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. 70 The end of chymistry..was to discover and to be informed of the nature of bodies, and their action one upon another.

1855 Debow's Rev. Feb. 201 That individual or society which shall inform us how to make two bushels of corn..grow with the same amount of labor that is now expended on one bushel..will double the productive industry of the State.

1880 B. Disraeli Endymion II. lxi. 255 It must be a mind..fairly informed on the questions involved in the wealth of nations.

1926 Jrnl. Royal Inst. Internat. Affairs 5 306 If we are to regard it as a popular book addressed to the general public and informing them as to the recent progress in the revision of the verdict of Versailles, it is worse than useless.

1974 Newsweek 6 May 75 In my very next column it will be my duty to inform..readers how they can successfully ‘disintermediate’.

2003 M. Kraak & F. Ormeling Cartography (ed. 2) xi. 168/1 Maps can function as an index to the data available, as part of a search engine or just as maps, informing about geospatial structure and patterns.

c. transitive. To give (a person) instructions or directions for action; to instruct, direct, tell to do something.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > enjoin or instruct

enjoin1297

charge1303

informa1387

charche1399

inditec1399

joinc1400

instructa1500

encharge?1533

conjoin1591

ready1600

directa1616

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 35 (MED) Þe peple is enformed to be boxom to þe princes.

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 4098 To don as he was last enformed.

a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 351 And þei enformen þer countreis to holde stifli wiþ þer pope.

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 66 Enformyng and tising ther to vnsufficientli leerned clerkis.

?1560 T. Norton Orations of Arsanes sig. Liiij^v Yet must I admonishe you to call to mynde, and most principally enforme you to consider,..that the case is also sondry wayes your owne.

1592 R. Greene Philomela sig. K This I am by God informed to confesse.

1619 P. Hannay Happy Husband sig. I3^v Now the World hath enformed me to fall.

1661 Pagitt's Heresiogr. (ed. 6) 201 But, the voice from Heaven enformed him otherwise. Bade him, Rise, kill, eat.

1740 W. Shenstone Judgm. Hercules 268 And gentle zephyrs..For thy repose inform..Their streams to murmur and their winds to sigh.

1807 J. Barlow Columbiad ix. 322 At last, a soil more fixt and streams more sweet Inform the wretched migrant where to seat.

1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 364/1 A mark being placed on the door post of such as are ‘bone’ or ‘gammy’, in order to inform the rest of ‘the school’ where to call, and what houses to avoid.

1901 Times 23 Nov. 16/1 I have also been informed to write to you by your wife.

1988 Times 10 Sept. 49/3 Lord's have instructed me to inform Gooch..not to talk.

2002 This Day (Nigeria) (Nexis) 8 May Oliwe said that God informed him not to be afraid of other presidential aspirants with big names because he will emerge victorious.

d. transitive. To direct, guide. Now rare (chiefly poetic).

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > guide, lead, or show one the way

to show the waya1382

reduct1580

directa1616

inform1637

manuduct1641

pilot1649

set1678

airt1782

steer1859

1637 J. Milton Comus 7 Where else Shall I informe my unacquainted feet In the blind mazes of this tangled wood?

1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 335 If old respect..hither hath inform'd Your younger feet.

1827 J. Mitford Proem p. lxix Meek Lord of life! thy steps no more Be seen on Salem's winding shore. Nor thy mild lips in converse sweet More inform our willing feet.

1846 J. Keble Lyra Innocentium 211 Strange powers their course inform.

1903 R. Kipling Five Nations Ded. p. v Before a midnight breaks in storm, Or herded sea in wrath, Ye know what wavering gusts inform The greater tempest's path.

2. To impart knowledge of some particular fact, occurrence, situation, etc.

a. transitive. With the party informed as object: to tell (a person or group) something; to acquaint with; to apprise of.Chiefly with about, of, or with subordinate clause; formerly also with †in, †with.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person)

to teach a person a thingc888

meanOE

wiseOE

sayOE

wittera1225

tellc1225

do to witc1275

let witc1275

let seec1330

inform1384

form1399

lerea1400

to wit (a person) to saya1400

learn1425

advertise1431

givec1449

insense?c1450

instruct1489

ascertain1490

let1490

alighta1500

advert1511

signify1523

reform1535

advise1562

partake1565

resolve1568

to do to ware1594

to let into one's knowledge1596

intellect1599

possess1600

acquainta1616

alighten1615

recommenda1616

intelligence1637

apprise1694

appraise1706

introduce1741

avail1785

prime1791

document1807

to put up1811

to put a person au fait of1828

post1847

to keep (someone) straight1862

monish1866

to put next to1896

to put (one) wise (to)1896

voice1898

in the picture1900

to give (someone) a line on1903

to wise up1905

drum1908

hip1932

to fill (someone) in on1945

clue1948

background1961

to mark a person's card1961

to loop in1994

society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person) > with quoted words as object

advise1828

inform1877

1384 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 30 (MED) To enfourme hym that John Norhampton was the beste ma[ir] that euer [was].

1419 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1834) II. 248 (MED) I am enfourmed that ther be passet certain writtes ayein..William Philip.

1529 T. More in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 11 I am enfourmed by my son Heron of the loss of our barnes.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3011 He was enformyt before of þat fre lady, Þat ho to Castor..accounttid was euon, And to Pollux, pure suster.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. cxli^v Some haue enformed me that my realme was neuer so riche.

1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 116 They were enformed that Paul taught the dispersed Jews not to circumcise their children.

1655 tr. Mary Queen of Scots Let. in T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 100 I have for that cause informed the Bishop of Dublin with all mine occurrences.

1713 J. 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. 4 Jan. (1965) I. 371 I wou'd gladly be inform'd of the News amongst you.

1787 William of Normandy II. 10 Soon were they informed the deceitful cause.

1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. II. 204 Ascham informs us, that..Elizabeth understood Greek better than the canons of Windsor.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. ii. 13 We were informed of the descent of an avalanche by the sound.

1877 My Mother-in-Law xii. 112 ‘Baby is not very well, Charlie,’ Bessie informed me.

1888 Mrs. H. Ward Robert Elsmere III. vi. 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.

1976 F. Howerd On Way I lost It (1977) i. 11 As a child, I am reliably informed, I was quite beautiful.

1992 W. H. Bartsch Doomed at Start i. 32 Assembled in the barracks area, the personnel of the 3rd Pursuit were informed the reason for the unexpected order.

2006 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 29 Aug. c3/5 The term badware describes a wide array of downloadable applications that try to install extra components on a computer without clearly informing users of what they are or what they will do.

b. transitive. With the information given as object and the party informed as indirect object: to tell a person (something); to report, relate (a piece of information, account, etc.) to another party. Now rare.Cf. the construction with to in sense 2c. 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 sense 2a, in that the passive form of the latter has the person as subject (‘I was informed that..’). Since the indirect object of an active verb may be made the subject of a passive verb, a passive construction with the person informed as subject might be regarded as belonging to either sense.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > give information about

wisc1000

inform?a1425

partake1561

intelligence1593

report1797

wish1818

tip1883

?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 54 He commanded..to enforme me pleynly all the mysteries.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 265 For, as hit is enfourmed me, thou..haste done me grete despyte, and shame unto knyghtes of the Rounde Table.

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cclv. 378 The vicount of Rochechoart was had in suspecte; for it was enfourmed the prince, howe he wolde turne frenche.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxi It is informed vs that your young and ryotous people will ryse.

1650 S. Sheppard Amandus & Sophronia v. 123 Crates soon took off her wonder, informing her the occasion of her arrivall.

1663 J. Heath Chron. Late Intestine Warr sig. L6 It was informed my Lord Hopton, that the Army was wasted with sickness.

1765 G. Colman tr. Terence Self-Tormenter iii. ii, in tr. Terence Comedies 256 Did not you inform him The bent of my affections?

1803 R. Southey Select. from 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.

c1860 J. Pilgrim Irish Assurance & Yankee Modesty ii. iii. 19 Perhaps you can inform me the meaning of this coxcomb's behavior.

1922 Times 30 Aug. 14/1 We have preferred to inform you the actual amount which was lost during the four months the collieries were idle.

1960 R. Graves Penny Fiddle 14 So homeward went I, but could not understand Why six fine dog-badgers with white wands in hand Should seek me out hoeing, and bow in a ring, And all to inform me so common a thing!

c. transitive. With the information given (in later use, chiefly a subordinate clause) as object: to report or recount (a piece of information, etc.); to relate (something) to another party. Now rare.Occasionally with some implication of providing accusatory information; cf. sense 4.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > reporting > report [verb (transitive)]

i-telle971

reckOE

tella1382

brevea1400

reportc1450

recount1477

reapport1486

refera1500

renowna1500

relate1530

informa1533

recommend1533

reaccount1561

re-report1599

yielda1616

delatea1639

narrate1656

bulletin1838

a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. M.iij It shulde be informed to the senate.

1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes f. 134^v The sonne informed the quarel to the Phylosopher.

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) v. sig. Qq4 Whatsoeuer hath bene enformed, was my fault.

a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iv. i. 84 Haply thou mayst informe Something to saue thy life.

1636 W. Laud Ann. Accts. Province in Hist. Troubles (1695) 538 My Lord the Bishop informs, that the County is very full of Impropriations.

1655 E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1892) 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 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Reformation: 2nd Pt. 67 It being informed to the Council, that Gardiner had written to some of that Board.

1711 Light to Blind in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) 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.

1743 R. Pococke Descr. East I. 119 My servant talk'd..as if he was a spy, and had inform'd what presents I had made.

1768 J. Blair Let. 12 July in William & Mary Q. (2000) 87 139 I beg leave to inform..that the Councill have by me paid the passage to London of a most unfortunate Algereen young man named Salim.

1804 W. Clark Jrnl. 8 June in Jrnls. Lewis & Clark Exped. (1986) II. 287 Our Spies inform that the Country they passed thro:..is a fine high bottom.

1809 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1959) III. 201 Our Grocer..informs..that nothing can be more irregular than portages sent per waggon to Penrith thro' the Yorkshire Road.

1936 M. R. Anand Coolie v. 340 ‘A boy taken ill, Sarkar,’ one of the coolies informed.

1996 Amer. Antiq. 61 430/2 No preface is provided to inform that most papers were originally oral presentations at an organized symposium.

d. intransitive. To give information; to report, relate.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)]

meanOE

telllOE

to make reportc1425

wrayc1425

wrobc1425

lay1488

inform1569

intelligence1616

advertise1764

1569 T. Norton To Queenes Deceiued Subj. sig. Bj^v Finally, they enforme of a great purpose of strangers to correcte and chasten vs to the hazard of the Realme, which they wil auoyd by hazarding it themselues.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. v. 32 Is not thy Master with him? who, wer't so, Would haue inform'd for preparation.

1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. iv. facing p. 4 They held that the Senses inform not alwaies truly.

1683 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 287 Letters from Hungary inform of the good news of the emperors forces..haveing taken Gran.

1741 in G. Ogle tr. G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales II. 107 Now, Goddess, entring, view the Dome of State, Do thou inform, and give me to relate.

1837 Family Mag. 456/2 The privateer perceiving his change of course, instantly put up her helm also, and despatching a forty-two pound shot to inform of that fact, gave him chase.

?1877 J. J. MacDonald Poems 14 Science informs of a place that's below Whose nature inspires us with nothing but woe.

1961 Times 24 May 8/6 Norman Herbert Jones..pleaded Not Guilty to..failing to notify flight plans at Denham, Buckinghamshire, and to inform of his landing at Denham.

1989 Mod. Law Rev. 52 797 The basis of the patient's claim is essentially the doctor's failure to inform of risks.

1997 Integrated Strategies for Safety & Environment (O.E.C.D.) 71 The individual route guidance system for cars..informs about car parks with vacancies and recommends switching to public transport as appropriate.

e. transitive. Science. In extended use: to send information or data about a situation or action to (something inanimate or impersonal).

ΚΠ

1868 Jrnl. Anthropol. Soc. 6 p. xxxii A fly settles on the cheek and irritates the skin; the afferent or sensory nerve, by a flash from the spinal cord, informs the brain, and that instantly wills its removal.

1930 Sci. Monthly Dec. 547/1 Over these nerves travel the messages which inform the brain about our physical environment.

1962 Amer. Zoologist 2 37/2 Without spontaneous discharge, a single ending would be unable to inform the central nervous system of angular acceleration in both directions.

1984 P. Simmons Further Pract. Microelectronics ii. 69 The receiving devices pull this pin low to inform the PPI that it has read the data sent.

2008 J. M. Garrido & R. Schlesinger Princ. Mod. Operating Syst. ix. 239 When a device is turned on, it automatically informs the operating system that it is present.

†3. To impart knowledge of (a subject, doctrine, method of action, etc.); to give instruction in, to teach.

a. transitive. With the thing taught as object and the party instructed as indirect object: to teach a person (something); to instruct in (a subject, etc.). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach (a thing)

to teach a thing971

learnc1175

kena1225

informa1393

showa1400

informc1400

precept?a1475

instruct?1520

to take forth1530

to take out1586

grind1815

a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 2669 (MED) I wol suie What thing that ye me wole enforme.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 5 So he taught and enformed hem here creaunce and feith.

1529 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. xiv. 252 No persone..shall enfourme or teche eny Foren, other than hys Apprentyce, eny poynte of his Crafte.

c1600 (?c1395) Pierce Ploughman's Crede (Trin. Cambr. R.3.15) (1873) l. 272 Knowest þou ouȝt..a creatour on erþe, Þat coude me my Crede teche and trewliche enfourme.

1687 R. Franck Philos. Treat. Original & Production Things 65 If therefore another Man's knowledge profit me nothing except he enforms me the Measures he knows, [etc.].

b. transitive. Without indirect object. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach (a thing)

to teach a thing971

learnc1175

kena1225

informa1393

showa1400

informc1400

precept?a1475

instruct?1520

to take forth1530

to take out1586

grind1815

c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xv. l. 548 Al for to enforme þe faith in fele contreyes.

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) i. pr. iv. 265 Certis þou enfourmedist [?c1425 Cambr. conformedest]..þis sentence, þat is to seyne þat commune þinges or comunabletes weren blysful yif [etc.].

a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) Prol. 3 The sange of psalmes..quemes god, it enformes perfytnes, it dosaway & distroys noy and angire of saule.

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. xviii. 31 These Eglogues came after to containe and enforme morall discipline.

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Ff2^v The boundes of this knowledge are, that it sufficeth to conuince Atheisme; but not to informe Religion.

a. transitive. To provide (a magistrate or other person in authority) with accusatory or incriminatory information against a person or group. Cf. information n. 4, 5.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > informing on or against > inform on or against [verb (transitive)]

wrayc725

meldeOE

bimeldena1300

forgabc1394

to blow up?a1400

outsay?a1400

detectc1449

denounce1485

ascry1523

inform1526

promote1550

peach1570

blow1575

impeach1617

wheedle1710

split1795

snitch1801

cheep1831

squeal1846

to put away1858

spot1864

report1869

squawk1872

nose1875

finger1877

ruck1884

to turn over1890

to gag on1891

shop1895

pool1907

run1909

peep1911

pot1911

copper1923

finger1929

rat1932

to blow the whistle on1934

grass1936

rat1969

to put in1975

turn1977

society > communication > information > informing on or against > inform on or against [verb (transitive)] > inform (someone in authority)

inform1526

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xxiv. 1 Ananias..with senioures, and with a certayne oratour named Tartullus,..enfourmed the ruelar agaynst Paul.

1592 T. Nashe Strange Newes sig. H4 Shall I informe thee (that vnfruitfullie endeuorst to informe authoritie against me) why I infixed those Poeticall latine margent notes to some fewe pages in the beginning of Pierce Pennilesse?

1648 R. Younge Cause & Cure Ignorance 95 Those false Prophets..sought to undermine Steven, that so they might have matter wherby to informe the Councell against him.

a1723 G. Whitehead Christian Progress (1725) i. 68 The said John Gurden and Thomas Waldgrave, being both on the Bench, and our Adversaries and Accusers informed the Judge against us.

1791 T. King Check on Uncharitableness ii. v. 74 There was at that time in Court, a certain Orator, who informed the Judge against the prisoner.

1841 G. P. R. James Ancient Régime I. 42 His life was entirely in the hands of six or seven infamous spies, whose views and purposes it did not suit to inform the police against him.

1912 W. C. Braithwaite Beginnings Quakerism iv. 108 At the ensuing assizes the opposing justices informed the judge against him.

2003 Statesman (India) (Nexis) 20 Jan. The state government has..asked residents to inform the authorities against those found involved in poaching.

b. intransitive. To give accusatory or incriminatory information about a person, their actions, etc., esp. to a person in authority; to bring a charge or complaint (cf. information n. 5).Chiefly with against, on.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > informing on or against > inform on or against [verb (intransitive)]

inform1588

peach1598

whistle1599

sing1612

whiddlec1661

squeak1690

wheedle1710

whittle1735

to blow the gab1785

snitch1801

rat1810

nose1811

sing1816

gnarl1819

split1819

stag1839

clype1843

squeal1846

blow1848

to round on1857

nark1859

pimp1865

squawk1872

ruck1884

to come or turn copper1891

copper1897

sneak1897

cough1901

stool1911

tattle-tale1918

snout1923

talk1924

fink1925

scream1925

sarbut1928

grass1929

to turn over1967

dime1970

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.

1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. S4^v, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) Sinisterly to speake, or otherwise to informe agaynst them.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xvi. 91 Twas he informd against him.

1661 Cure for Cuckold iv. i. sig. F This Informer..had belike some private dealings with her, and there got a Goose..This fellow in revenge for this, informs against the Bawd that kept the house.

1731 F. Hare Serm. 19 Who at this time does not think it not only commendable, but the Duty of every honest Man, to inform against those Monsters who set up for Incendiaries?

1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ii. 49 Even tho' 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.

1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 14 201 It seems to me doubtful whether the Crown can appoint anybody to go into Court and inform other than the Attorney General.

1889 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms xxiv Somebody had informed on the man.

1915 A. Conan Doyle Valley of Fear ii. iv. 232 What would you do?..You would not inform?

1987 A. S. Byatt Sugar 45 He felt reluctant to inform on the boy who seemed so harmless and considerate.

2000 S. Vickers Miss Garnet's Angel 74 And in the end a certain one of our tribe in Nineveh, doubtless seeking advancement or immunity for his own family, went and informed on me.

5. transitive (reflexive). To gain knowledge, instruction, or information; to acquaint oneself with something; to get to know, to learn.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > learning > [verb (reflexive)]

inform1548

1548 A. Bacon tr. B. Ochino Serm. sig. Diii It would be a thing pleasaunt to me, if euerye man shulde make prayer to God for me,..that I might..enforme my selfe, I my selfe were it not by Christe, shoulde not knowe what to aske.

1583 R. P. tr. P. de la Sierra Second Pt. Myrror of Knighthood f. 330 Informing her selfe howe that he was gone towards Grecia, she did determine to follow him.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. i. 169 Informe your selues, We neede no more of your aduice.

1623 W. 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 New Voy. around World v. 114 They confessed that they came purposely to view our Ship, and..to inform themselves what we were.

1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (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.

1847 G. Grote Hist. Greece III. ii. xvii. 306 Informing himself, moreover, of passing events by means of ubiquitous spies and officials.

1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 407 Edward..requires his ambassador to observe the young prince, and to inform himself of his character and disposition.

1897 G. Gissing Whirlpool i. vii. 74 Her acquaintances in London still took trouble to inform themselves of her movements.

1955 B. Pym Less than Angels v. 58 ‘It is a pity,’ he wrote, ‘that the author did not take the trouble to inform himself of some of the elementary facts underlying the social structure of these peoples.’

2007 Times Educ. Suppl. (Nexis) 30 Mar. 6 She feels that she does not know enough about what each political party is offering in order to vote. And..she does not think she will have time to inform herself.

II. To give form to, put into form or shape.

a. transitive. To put into (material) form or shape; to form, shape, mould, fashion, create; (also) to put into proper form or order. Now rare (chiefly poetic in later use).in quot. a1382: to form up (troops) for battle.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrange [verb (transitive)]

stightc825

fadec1020

orderc1225

adightc1275

dightc1275

castc1320

raila1350

form1362

stightlea1375

rayc1380

informa1382

disposea1387

throwc1390

addressa1393

shifta1400

rengea1425

to set forth?c1450

rule1488

rummage1544

marshalc1547

place1548

suit1552

dispone1558

plat1587

enrange1590

draw1663

range1711

arrange1791

to lay out1848

the world > space > shape > shape or give shape to [verb (transitive)]

i-schapeOE

shapec1000

afaite?c1225

feigna1300

form1340

deformc1384

proportionc1384

throwc1390

figure?a1400

parec1400

mould1408

fashion1413

portrayc1450

effigure1486

porture1489

moul1530

shapen1535

frame1553

proportionate1555

efform1578

inform1590

formate1599

to shape out1600

infigure1611

figurate1615

immodelize1649

effinge1657

effigiate1660

configure1857

carpenter1884

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 370) 1 Chron. xii. 33 Of Zabulon that..stoden in the scheltrun, enfourmed [L. instructi] in armys of batail.

tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) x. 85 (MED) Nowe medis newe enfourme..In places like a valey.

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Love in W. W. Skeat Chaucerian & Other Pieces (1897) 53 Oon fader, maker of al goodnes, enformed hem al, and al mortal folk of one sede arn greyned.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. vi. sig. Hh^v Infinite shapes of creatures..Informed in the mud, on which the Sunne hath shynd.

1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. iii. v. 416 If he found her, he may as happily finde another; if hee made her,..he may as good cheap informe another.

1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §35 And so Omniety informed Nullity into an Essence.

1646 R. Crashaw Musicks Duell in Steps to Temple 103 Awakes his Lute, and 'gainst the fight to come Informes it.

1712 Misc. Poems & Transl. 224 The great Source and Parent of the Day, Fashion'd the Creature, and inform'd the Clay.

1763 G. Canning Epist. from William Lord Russell 18 Watch o'er my Son, inform his waxen youth.

1908 M. J. Cawein Poems V. 305 To..o'erwhelm the Death—that Winter throned Amid the trees,—with love that she [sc. Springtime] hath owned Since God informed her from His very breath.

1964 T. McGrath New & Sel. Poems 72 Now with his thought the rank and maundy world..He stiffens, as a hand informs a glove And drags each lank potential into form.

†b. transitive. to inform the peace (and variants): to make peace. Obsolete. [Compare Old French enformer la pais (13th cent.).]

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > peace > pacification > make peace [verb (intransitive)]

to make grithc1000

grith11..

to make peace?a1160

peasec1300

to inform the peace?a1400

to bury the hatchet1535

seal1596

pacificate1646

to beat swords into ploughshares1924

Locarnize1925

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 285 Þider..com þe tresorere..þat had bien messengere with þe Cardinalle forto enforme þe pes.

?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. 4026 Þo messengers camen..bifor Richard alle samen & enformed his pes.

†c. transitive. To compose or formulate (a document). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > follow occupation of writer [verb (intransitive)] > compose

indite1377

informc1450

compose1602

perform1703

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 2751 A pistill he enfourmes [a1500 Trin. Dublin enformes], Wrate a writt of his will, so sendis to his princes.

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xxxix. 53 He enformed his somones, and sent..to kepe the towne and fronters..agaynst his ennemies.

†d. transitive. To delineate, sketch, describe. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > narration > description or act of describing > describe [verb (transitive)]

sayOE

devisec1300

readc1300

to make (a) showing ofc1330

counterfeitc1369

expressc1386

scrievec1390

descrya1400

scrya1400

drawa1413

representc1425

describec1450

report1460

qualify?1465

exhibit1534

perscribe1538

to set out1545

deline1566

delineate1566

decipher1567

denotate1599

lineate16..

denote1612

givea1616

inform?1615

to shape out1633

speaka1637

display1726

to hit off1737

?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) i. 1 The man, O Muse, inform, that many a way Wound with his wisdom to his wished stay.

†7. intransitive. To take form; to form or be formed; to appear in a visible shape. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > shape > have (specific) shape [verb (intransitive)] > assume definite shape

to be shota1450

inform1588

crystallize1796

shape1865

jell1908

1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 223 The Charitie of God is powred forth in thair hartes..and informes or inhæres in the same.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. i. 48 It is the bloody Businesse, which informes Thus to mine Eyes.

1652 News from Lowe Countreys 1 When, first, the first confused Masse Did, from its mish mash medley, passe To those four segregated forms, Whose re-commixture now informs.

III. To give form or determinant character to: see form n. 4.

a. transitive. Originally: to give determinant character to (see form n. 4). Hence: to imbue, or impregnate with a specific quality or attribute; to impart some pervading quality or spirit to; (also) to fill or affect (the mind or heart) with a feeling, thought, etc.; to inspire.Quot. a1425 could be understood as exemplifying sense 8b.In quot. c1450: to give form to (a statement, principle, etc.); to exemplify, illustrate.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > quality of affecting the emotions > affect with emotion [verb (transitive)]

rineOE

afaite?c1225

stir?c1225

movea1325

amovec1380

inspire1390

commove1393

informa1398

toucha1400

embracec1430

rore1481

alter1529

to carry away?1529

raise1533

removea1540

heavec1540

affect?1548

carry1570

inmove1583

infecta1586

worka1616

unthaw1699

emove1835

emotionize1855

emotion1875

the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > introduction or bringing in > introduce or bring something in [verb (transitive)] > infuse

sheda1325

bedew1340

distil1393

informa1398

transfusec1425

pourc1451

infudea1500

infuse1526

tan1530

colour1536

suck1549

imbrue1565

dewc1572

inspire1576

steep1603

infect1605

imbreathe1609

impregn1652

transfund1670

influence1691

bleed1866

render1885

taste1904

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 130 Aristotel seiþ þat fourme haþ hit silf as it were a man, for he may enfourme many matieris, as a man may brynge many wommen wiþ childe.

a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 115 Þus bi greetnesse of feiþ, enfourmed wiþ charite, ben siche soulis maad hool.

c1450 (?c1425) St. Christina in Anglia (1885) 8 125 At þis be shewed wiþ ensaumpil, wee enforme hit þat wee haue seyde wiþ a dede of Cristyne.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) v. iii. 71 The God of Souldiers..informe Thy thoughts with Noblenesse.

1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica ii. ii. 61 If an iron be touched before..it admits not this magneticall impression, as being already informed by the Load-stone.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 13. ¶6 Could they..inform their Faces with as significant Looks and Passions.

1758 W. Blackstone Study of Law in Comm. Laws Eng. (1765) I. 37 [To] inform them with a desire to be still better acquainted with the laws and constitution of their country.

1830 Ld. Tennyson Sleeping Beauty ii, in Poems 144 Her constant beauty doth inform Stillness with love and day with light.

1861 J. S. Mill Utilitarianism 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.

1928 W. E. Brown Archit. Middle Ages ii. 108 It remains to be shown how the Church, as a free juridical society, informed the institutions of the Middle Ages with the governance of law.

1984 J. Barnes Flaubert's Parrot viii. 113 Given the benign impatience of his traveller, Flaubert informs the excursion with an approving lyricism.

1999 Jrnl. Afr. Cultural Stud. 12 169 His racial/national identity informs his work with authenticity.

b. transitive. Of a quality, principle, etc.: to be the determinant principle of; to give a thing its essential quality or character; to inspire, animate; to pervade. In later use more generally: (of an experience, etc.) to influence, to affect.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > essence or intrinsic nature > inform or give a thing its essence [verb (transitive)]

graitha1300

make1340

informa1398

essentiate1561

informate1594

formalize1597

essentialize1669

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 27 Þis spirit animalis..passiþ in þe middel den þat hatte logica to make þe intellect and vndirstondinge parfite. And whanne he haþ informed þe intellect, þanne he passiþ to þe denne of mynde.

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 33 (MED) Cristen men..when feithe and grace of sacramentes informede the life of theyme.

?1555 T. Paynell tr. J. L. Vives Office of Husband sig. Qiiij The good example of y^e husband, the which to informe and fashion the womans life, and his family withall, is of no lesse valure and force, then the example of a prince to informe the publique maners & customes of a citye.

1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles i. i Without loue..All vertues borne in men lye buried, For loue informes them as the Sunne dothe colours.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 593 Not all parts like, but all alike informd Which [read With] radiant light, as glowing Iron with fire.

1700 S. Cobb Poetae Britannici 12 Unstol'n Promethean Fire informs his Song.

1771 ‘The Trifler’ 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 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. vii. 132 The elements..and what of them is made, Are by created virtue inform'd.

1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 31 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.

1912 H. Belloc This & That 222 Just as an Englishman is English or as a poem is informed by a definite scheme of rhythm.

1942 E. K. Chambers Sheaf of Stud. 100 There can be no doubt that an early familiarity..with great books is one of the forces which make most strongly for education. Insensibly, by ways silent and undreamt of, it informs the character and moulds the imagination.

1996 Observer Life 31 Mar. 24/1 The belief that the British working class is in terminal decline is often informed by a particular idea about what working classness is.

2001 Amer. Hist. Rev. 106 1512/2 We see little of how his early experience informed his worldview or affected his inner life.

c. transitive. spec. Of a soul, life, etc.: to impart life or spirit to; to inspire, animate.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > source or principle of life > vital principle > impart vital principle [verb (transitive)]

inspirea1382

inform1594

actuate1597

spirit1606

vitalize1678

staminate1720

1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits iv. 50 If a reasonable soule informe a well instrumentalized body (as was that of Adam) his knowledge comes little behind that of the subtillest diuell.

1606 L. Bryskett Disc. Ciuill Life 129 His opinion..that the soules were created in a certaine number, to the end they might informe so many bodies.

?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxii. 311 A soul of iron informs thee.

1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §12 If one Soul were so perfect as to inform three distinct Bodies, that were a petty Trinity.

1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. III iii. 105 Plotinus and Hermes Trismegistus tel us ‘that Images were made as bodies to be informed by Ghosts as with souls’.

1700 M. Prior Carmen Sæculare 17 Long as Breath informs this fleeting Frame.

1769 T. Smollett Adventures of Atom I. 32 All the most eminent physicians in Japan were consulted about this strange tickling and tingling, and among these the celebrated Fan-sey, whose spirit afterwards informed the body of Rabelais.

a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) iv. 116 How the immortal Soul with God-like power Informs, creates, and thaws the deepest sleep That time can lay upon her.

1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. iv. 53 When nature gave it [sc. the soul] to inform her mold.

1878 B. Taylor Prince Deukalion ii. iv. 81 By one soul Informed.

1912 F. B. Money-Coutts Psyche 34 Sculpture and painting brought their brave array Of sensuous matter by a soul informed.

1982 J. J. E. Gracia tr. F. Suarez Suarez On Individuation vi. 126 The same soul can naturally inform various matters at different times.

2004 B. Kreitzer Reforming Mary vi. 124 The ‘second’ conception, when the newly created soul informs the body.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	inform
释义	informadj.¹ Brit. /ɪnˈfɔːm/, U.S. /ᵻnˈfɔrm/ Forms: 1500s–1600s informe, 1600s– inform. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French informe; Latin informis. Etymology: < Middle French informe (French informe ) having no definite or regular form (1508) and its etymon classical Latin informis having no definite or regular shape or form, formless, featureless, bodiless, disembodied, ugly, unsightly, unseemly, degrading < in- in- prefix⁴ + forma form n. Compare informed adj.², informal adj. 1. †a. Scholastic Theology. inform faith [after post-classical Latin fides informis; compare Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologiae 2–2, q. 4, etc. (a1273); Petrus Lombardus Sententiae distinctae 3. 23. 4 (12th cent.)] : faith that is not formed or animated by charity (charity n. 1), considered to be the essential determinant principle of true faith. Obsolete. Cf. informed adj.² 1, informal adj. 4. See also inform v. 8. ΘΚΠ society > faith > aspects of faith > [adjective] > inform informeda1530 inform faith1546 informal1813 1546 G. Joye Refut. Byshop Winchesters Derke Declar. f. cxx To forme your informe faith and material beleif. a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 269 Every Faith makes not an effectuall calling;..there is an inform, there is a counterfeit Faith. b. Originally and chiefly Philosophy. Of matter: undetermined by form (form n. 4); (also) of the nature of such matter. Now rare. Cf. inform v. 8, matter n.¹ 22. ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > lack of shape > [adjective] huelessa1100 shapelessa1400 globose?a1425 deformed1555 fashionless1581 disformed1591 formless1591 unshapeful1598 figureless1606 informous1610 proportionless1625 unbodied1630 unshapable1630 misshapen1640 unshapeless1640 difform1644 inform1654 difformed1665 amorphous1727 amorphic1856 1654 R. Vilvain Theoremata Theologica i. 25 An inform lump..without a Soul is neither Man nor Beast. 1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. v. 103 Nature in it self inform, when it receives form from God is the Angelick Mind. a1681 G. Wharton Brief Disc. Soul World in Wks. (1683) 648 God is Light, in which there is no Darkness; that is Form wherein there is nothing Inform. 1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility iv. 166 In the old creation we read of a void and inform mass. 1881 J. S. Blackie Lay Serm. v. 170 His transforming energy triumphs..over the inform domain of the unfruitful clod. 1905 E. Dowden Michel de Montaigne vi. 189 Such writers give us the naked and inform matter of history, from which, according to his understanding, every one may make his profit. 1971 Jrnl. Hist. Ideas 32 493 Particularly in the Augustinian tradition, the second phase of creation is the summoning revocatio of inform matter to assume its proper ornaments, and perfect form. †2. Having no definite or regular form; shapeless; misshapen, deformed. Obsolete (archaic in later use). ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > misshapenness > [adjective] misshapena1400 deformedc1400 forshapenc1440 misfashioned?a1513 inform1555 fromshapen1581 misformed1590 informous1610 disjointed1652 ill-formeda1672 abnormous1710 malformed1817 dislocated1830 aberrated1976 the world > space > shape > lack of shape > [adjective] > having no proper form inform1555 nulliformc1578 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 261 The damme with continuall lyckynge, by lyttle and lyttle figurethe the informe byrthe. 1633 J. Hart Κλινικη iii. xxviii. 344 Metamorphosing the whole man into an informe monster. 1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium II. iv. i. Rule 3 §14 Not if it [sc. the fetus] was inform and unshapen. 1681 C. Cotton Wonders of Peake in Poet. Wks. (1765) 342 Bleak Crags, and naked Hills, And the whole Prospect so inform and rude. 1706 E. Baynard Cold Baths (1709) ii. 341 Infants..may be writh'd..by the least mis-bandage into any inform Figure. 1790 A. Swainston Thoughts Physiol., Pathol. & Pract. iii. vi. 188 The enlargement of the Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, Omentum, or Intestines, which last have been found conglomerated together in such manner as to form one large inform mass. 1888 R. Buchanan City of Dream xi. 227 Moloch and Baal, two shapes Inform and monstrous. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022). informv. Brit. /ɪnˈfɔːm/, U.S. /ᵻnˈfɔrm/ Forms: α. Middle English enfforme, Middle English enfoorme, Middle English enfowrme (Irish English), Middle English–1600s enforme, Middle English–1600s enfourme, 1500s enfurme, 1600s–1700s enform; Scottish pre-1700 enforme, pre-1700 enfourme. β. Middle English informie, Middle English ynforme, Middle English–1500s infourme, Middle English–1600s informe, 1500s infourm, 1500s ynform, 1500s– inform; Scottish pre-1700 infforme, pre-1700 informe, pre-1700 infourme, pre-1700 infowrme, pre-1700 infurme, pre-1700 1700s– inform. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French informer; Latin informāre. Etymology: (i) Anglo-Norman enfourmer, enfurmer, infourmer, Anglo-Norman and Middle French enformer, informer (French informer ) to shape, fit (12th cent. in Old French), (reflexive) to take on a certain form (13th cent.), (reflexive) to enquire (about something), to acquaint oneself (with something), to get to know or be informed about (something) (13th cent.), to tell or instruct (someone about something) (13th cent.), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin informāre to give form to, shape, fashion, to describe, to form in the mind, to form an idea of, to mould (a person, or a person's mind) by instruction, in post-classical Latin also to give form or nature to (6th cent.), to guide (10th cent.), to act as informer, give information (c1125, 1282 in British sources), (in philosophy) to infuse with form (frequently from early 12th cent. in British and continental sources), (in philosophy) to subject to a formal cause (frequently from mid 13th cent. in British sources), to cause to understand (frequently from late 13th cent. in British sources) < in- in- prefix³ + forma form n. Compare Old Occitan enformar, Catalan enformar (13th cent.), informar (1304), Spanish enformar (13th cent.; now archaic), informar (early 14th cent.), Portuguese informar (14th cent.), enformar (14th cent.), Italian informare (a1294). I. To shape the mind, character, etc.; to instruct, teach, train; to provide with knowledge. Cf. form v.¹ 2. 1. a. transitive. To give instruction to (a person, the mind, etc.); to educate, teach, train; (later more generally) to impart knowledge or learning to (cf. sense 2). Also intransitive.In quot. ?a1400: †to advise (obsolete). ΘΚΠ society > education > [verb (transitive)] tighta1000 teec1000 thewc1175 forma1340 informc1350 nurturec1475 train1531 breeda1568 train1600 to lick (a person or thing) into (shape , etc.)1612 scholar1807 educate1826 the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > advise [verb (transitive)] redeOE rothec1175 beredea1225 counsel1297 informc1350 richc1400 accounsel1509 persuade1525 vise1528 underprompt1548 aread1559 resolve1579 direct1776–81 c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) xxxi. 10 (MED) Y shal heue [sc. give] to þe vnderstondyng, seid our Lord, and y shal en-fourme þe. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Psalms civ. 22 That he [sc. Joseph] shulde enforme [L. erudiret; a1425 L.V. lerne] his princis as hymself [sc. the king]; and his olde men prudence he shulde teche [L. doceret]. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 315 (MED) Þo ilk men so wise suld go & enforme ȝour kynges, Withouten mo justise or trauaile of oþer lordynges. Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 261 Informyn, or techyn, informo, instruo. a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 70 (MED) Visite me, lorde, ofte tymes & enforme wiþ disciplines of konnyng. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxxi. 10 Vndirstandynge i sall gif till þe, and i sall enfourme [L. instruam] þe. ?1521 A. Barclay Bk. Codrus & Mynalcas sig. D His sight enfourmeth, the rude and ignorant. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) 1 Cor. ii. 16 For who knoweth the mynde of the lorde, other who shall informe hym? ?1589 T. Nashe Almond for Parrat sig. 10 The nouice that comes to be informed, desireth to enforme others, before he bee enformed himselfe. 1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iv. ii. 194 That leaues his son to a covetous Schoolmaster to be informed. 1666 Bp. S. Parker Free Censvre Platonick Philos. (1667) 77 A huge lushious stile..rather loaths and nauceats a discreet understanding, than informs and nourishes it. 1710 J. Norris Treat. Christian Prudence vii. 327 The Prudent Christian will be sure to give all diligence to inform his Conscience aright in the full extent of his Christian Duty, that so he may neither act wrong, nor be accountable for not knowing what was right. 1791 W. Gifford Baviad 256 So may thy varied verse, from age to age Inform the simple, and delight the sage. a1795 S. Bishop Poet. Wks. (1796) II. 99 Sense quick to learn, and glad t'inform. 1824 G. W. Doane Songs by Way 23 Thou only canst inform the mind. 1878 J. Morley J. de Maistre in Crit. Misc. 137 To guide and inform an universal conscience. 1927 Hispania 10 409 He desires that beautiful fiction be based on truth and observation..; it may teach and inform..and it must be moral to be beautiful. 1959 D. Johnston In Search of Swift ii. 11 What..could be more convenient and authentic than a man's own account of himself—always assuming that his intention is to inform us, and not the reverse? 1993 A. R. Ammons Garbage 50 The words do for us what other languages do for others—they warn, inform, reassure, compare, present. b. transitive. To train or instruct (a person) in a particular course of action; to educate or give information about some subject, doctrine, etc.; to teach or apprise how to do something. Also intransitive.Chiefly with about, as to, on, or subordinate clause; formerly also with †in, †of, †to, †with or with infinitive. ΘΚΠ society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] i-taechec888 lerec900 iwisseOE to teach a personc1000 wisc1000 ylereOE avayc1315 readc1330 learna1382 informc1384 beteacha1400 form1399 kena1400 redec1400 indoctrinea1450 instructc1449 ensign1474 doctrine1475 introduct1481 lettera1500 endoctrinec1500 to have (a person) in schooling?1553 lesson1555 tutor1592 orthographize1596 pupil1599 con1612 indoctrinate1621 art1628 doctrinate1631 document1648 verse1672 documentizea1734 form1770 intuit1776 skill1809 indoctrinize1861 society > education > teaching > training > train [verb (transitive)] to teach of1297 exercec1374 informc1384 schoolc1456 break1474 instruct1510 nuzzle1519 train1531 train1542 frame1547 experience?c1550 to trade up1556 disciplinea1586 disciple1596 nursle1596 accommodate1640 educate1643 model1665 form1711 to break in1785 scholar1807 c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. xii. 3 Thei that lernen, or enfourmen [L. erudiunt], manye to riȝtwijsnesse. a1400 (?a1325) Medit. on Supper of our Lord (Harl.) (1875) l. 238 (MED) Þou mayst se How he enformed hem yn charyte. ?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. i. pr. iii. 66 [Socrates, Zeno, etc.] weren enformyd [L. instituti] of myne [sc. Philosophy's] maneris. c1480 (a1400) St. Nicholas 55 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 482 His fadir..gert informe hyme besyly In liberale hartis sutely. 1528 J. Skelton Honorificatissimo: Replycacion agaynst Yong Scolers sig. Aii^v They were but febly enformed in maister Porphiris problemes. c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 12^v (heading) How Medea enformed Iason to get the fflese of Golde. 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. xxvi. 42 Musicians..by good admonitions enformed them to the frugall & thriftie life all the rest of their dayes. 1607 S. Hieron Platforme Obed. in Wks. (1620) I. 334 First, to teach vs to eschew Euill, and then to enforme vs how to doe good. 1671 W. Salmon Synopsis Medicinæ Introd. 3 Physical Precepts..only grosly inform the Mind, how to..Cure Diseases. 1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. viii. 282 Nor are we informed by Nature, in future Contingencies and Accidents. 1775 R. B. Sheridan Rivals Pref. p. viii For on subjects on which the mind has been much informed, invention is slow of exerting itself. 1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. 70 The end of chymistry..was to discover and to be informed of the nature of bodies, and their action one upon another. 1855 Debow's Rev. Feb. 201 That individual or society which shall inform us how to make two bushels of corn..grow with the same amount of labor that is now expended on one bushel..will double the productive industry of the State. 1880 B. Disraeli Endymion II. lxi. 255 It must be a mind..fairly informed on the questions involved in the wealth of nations. 1926 Jrnl. Royal Inst. Internat. Affairs 5 306 If we are to regard it as a popular book addressed to the general public and informing them as to the recent progress in the revision of the verdict of Versailles, it is worse than useless. 1974 Newsweek 6 May 75 In my very next column it will be my duty to inform..readers how they can successfully ‘disintermediate’. 2003 M. Kraak & F. Ormeling Cartography (ed. 2) xi. 168/1 Maps can function as an index to the data available, as part of a search engine or just as maps, informing about geospatial structure and patterns. c. transitive. To give (a person) instructions or directions for action; to instruct, direct, tell to do something. ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > enjoin or instruct enjoin1297 charge1303 informa1387 charche1399 inditec1399 joinc1400 instructa1500 encharge?1533 conjoin1591 ready1600 directa1616 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 35 (MED) Þe peple is enformed to be boxom to þe princes. a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 4098 To don as he was last enformed. a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 351 And þei enformen þer countreis to holde stifli wiþ þer pope. c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 66 Enformyng and tising ther to vnsufficientli leerned clerkis. ?1560 T. Norton Orations of Arsanes sig. Liiij^v Yet must I admonishe you to call to mynde, and most principally enforme you to consider,..that the case is also sondry wayes your owne. 1592 R. Greene Philomela sig. K This I am by God informed to confesse. 1619 P. Hannay Happy Husband sig. I3^v Now the World hath enformed me to fall. 1661 Pagitt's Heresiogr. (ed. 6) 201 But, the voice from Heaven enformed him otherwise. Bade him, Rise, kill, eat. 1740 W. Shenstone Judgm. Hercules 268 And gentle zephyrs..For thy repose inform..Their streams to murmur and their winds to sigh. 1807 J. Barlow Columbiad ix. 322 At last, a soil more fixt and streams more sweet Inform the wretched migrant where to seat. 1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 364/1 A mark being placed on the door post of such as are ‘bone’ or ‘gammy’, in order to inform the rest of ‘the school’ where to call, and what houses to avoid. 1901 Times 23 Nov. 16/1 I have also been informed to write to you by your wife. 1988 Times 10 Sept. 49/3 Lord's have instructed me to inform Gooch..not to talk. 2002 This Day (Nigeria) (Nexis) 8 May Oliwe said that God informed him not to be afraid of other presidential aspirants with big names because he will emerge victorious. d. transitive. To direct, guide. Now rare (chiefly poetic). ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > guide, lead, or show one the way to show the waya1382 reduct1580 directa1616 inform1637 manuduct1641 pilot1649 set1678 airt1782 steer1859 1637 J. Milton Comus 7 Where else Shall I informe my unacquainted feet In the blind mazes of this tangled wood? 1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 335 If old respect..hither hath inform'd Your younger feet. View more context for this quotation 1827 J. Mitford Proem p. lxix Meek Lord of life! thy steps no more Be seen on Salem's winding shore. Nor thy mild lips in converse sweet More inform our willing feet. 1846 J. Keble Lyra Innocentium 211 Strange powers their course inform. 1903 R. Kipling Five Nations Ded. p. v Before a midnight breaks in storm, Or herded sea in wrath, Ye know what wavering gusts inform The greater tempest's path. 2. To impart knowledge of some particular fact, occurrence, situation, etc. a. transitive. With the party informed as object: to tell (a person or group) something; to acquaint with; to apprise of.Chiefly with about, of, or with subordinate clause; formerly also with †in, †with. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person) to teach a person a thingc888 meanOE wiseOE sayOE wittera1225 tellc1225 do to witc1275 let witc1275 let seec1330 inform1384 form1399 lerea1400 to wit (a person) to saya1400 learn1425 advertise1431 givec1449 insense?c1450 instruct1489 ascertain1490 let1490 alighta1500 advert1511 signify1523 reform1535 advise1562 partake1565 resolve1568 to do to ware1594 to let into one's knowledge1596 intellect1599 possess1600 acquainta1616 alighten1615 recommenda1616 intelligence1637 apprise1694 appraise1706 introduce1741 avail1785 prime1791 document1807 to put up1811 to put a person au fait of1828 post1847 to keep (someone) straight1862 monish1866 to put next to1896 to put (one) wise (to)1896 voice1898 in the picture1900 to give (someone) a line on1903 to wise up1905 drum1908 hip1932 to fill (someone) in on1945 clue1948 background1961 to mark a person's card1961 to loop in1994 society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person) > with quoted words as object advise1828 inform1877 1384 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 30 (MED) To enfourme hym that John Norhampton was the beste ma[ir] that euer [was]. 1419 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1834) II. 248 (MED) I am enfourmed that ther be passet certain writtes ayein..William Philip. 1529 T. More in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 11 I am enfourmed by my son Heron of the loss of our barnes. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3011 He was enformyt before of þat fre lady, Þat ho to Castor..accounttid was euon, And to Pollux, pure suster. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. cxli^v Some haue enformed me that my realme was neuer so riche. 1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 116 They were enformed that Paul taught the dispersed Jews not to circumcise their children. 1655 tr. Mary Queen of Scots Let. in T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 100 I have for that cause informed the Bishop of Dublin with all mine occurrences. 1713 J. 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. 4 Jan. (1965) I. 371 I wou'd gladly be inform'd of the News amongst you. 1787 William of Normandy II. 10 Soon were they informed the deceitful cause. 1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. II. 204 Ascham informs us, that..Elizabeth understood Greek better than the canons of Windsor. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. ii. 13 We were informed of the descent of an avalanche by the sound. 1877 My Mother-in-Law xii. 112 ‘Baby is not very well, Charlie,’ Bessie informed me. 1888 Mrs. H. Ward Robert Elsmere III. vi. 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. 1976 F. Howerd On Way I lost It (1977) i. 11 As a child, I am reliably informed, I was quite beautiful. 1992 W. H. Bartsch Doomed at Start i. 32 Assembled in the barracks area, the personnel of the 3rd Pursuit were informed the reason for the unexpected order. 2006 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 29 Aug. c3/5 The term badware describes a wide array of downloadable applications that try to install extra components on a computer without clearly informing users of what they are or what they will do. b. transitive. With the information given as object and the party informed as indirect object: to tell a person (something); to report, relate (a piece of information, account, etc.) to another party. Now rare.Cf. the construction with to in sense 2c. 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 sense 2a, in that the passive form of the latter has the person as subject (‘I was informed that..’). Since the indirect object of an active verb may be made the subject of a passive verb, a passive construction with the person informed as subject might be regarded as belonging to either sense. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > give information about wisc1000 inform?a1425 partake1561 intelligence1593 report1797 wish1818 tip1883 ?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 54 He commanded..to enforme me pleynly all the mysteries. a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 265 For, as hit is enfourmed me, thou..haste done me grete despyte, and shame unto knyghtes of the Rounde Table. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cclv. 378 The vicount of Rochechoart was had in suspecte; for it was enfourmed the prince, howe he wolde turne frenche. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxi It is informed vs that your young and ryotous people will ryse. 1650 S. Sheppard Amandus & Sophronia v. 123 Crates soon took off her wonder, informing her the occasion of her arrivall. 1663 J. Heath Chron. Late Intestine Warr sig. L6 It was informed my Lord Hopton, that the Army was wasted with sickness. 1765 G. Colman tr. Terence Self-Tormenter iii. ii, in tr. Terence Comedies 256 Did not you inform him The bent of my affections? 1803 R. Southey Select. from 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. c1860 J. Pilgrim Irish Assurance & Yankee Modesty ii. iii. 19 Perhaps you can inform me the meaning of this coxcomb's behavior. 1922 Times 30 Aug. 14/1 We have preferred to inform you the actual amount which was lost during the four months the collieries were idle. 1960 R. Graves Penny Fiddle 14 So homeward went I, but could not understand Why six fine dog-badgers with white wands in hand Should seek me out hoeing, and bow in a ring, And all to inform me so common a thing! c. transitive. With the information given (in later use, chiefly a subordinate clause) as object: to report or recount (a piece of information, etc.); to relate (something) to another party. Now rare.Occasionally with some implication of providing accusatory information; cf. sense 4. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > reporting > report [verb (transitive)] i-telle971 reckOE tella1382 brevea1400 reportc1450 recount1477 reapport1486 refera1500 renowna1500 relate1530 informa1533 recommend1533 reaccount1561 re-report1599 yielda1616 delatea1639 narrate1656 bulletin1838 a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. M.iij It shulde be informed to the senate. 1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes f. 134^v The sonne informed the quarel to the Phylosopher. a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) v. sig. Qq4 Whatsoeuer hath bene enformed, was my fault. a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iv. i. 84 Haply thou mayst informe Something to saue thy life. View more context for this quotation 1636 W. Laud Ann. Accts. Province in Hist. Troubles (1695) 538 My Lord the Bishop informs, that the County is very full of Impropriations. 1655 E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1892) 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 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Reformation: 2nd Pt. 67 It being informed to the Council, that Gardiner had written to some of that Board. 1711 Light to Blind in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) 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. 1743 R. Pococke Descr. East I. 119 My servant talk'd..as if he was a spy, and had inform'd what presents I had made. 1768 J. Blair Let. 12 July in William & Mary Q. (2000) 87 139 I beg leave to inform..that the Councill have by me paid the passage to London of a most unfortunate Algereen young man named Salim. 1804 W. Clark Jrnl. 8 June in Jrnls. Lewis & Clark Exped. (1986) II. 287 Our Spies inform that the Country they passed thro:..is a fine high bottom. 1809 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1959) III. 201 Our Grocer..informs..that nothing can be more irregular than portages sent per waggon to Penrith thro' the Yorkshire Road. 1936 M. R. Anand Coolie v. 340 ‘A boy taken ill, Sarkar,’ one of the coolies informed. 1996 Amer. Antiq. 61 430/2 No preface is provided to inform that most papers were originally oral presentations at an organized symposium. d. intransitive. To give information; to report, relate. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)] meanOE telllOE to make reportc1425 wrayc1425 wrobc1425 lay1488 inform1569 intelligence1616 advertise1764 1569 T. Norton To Queenes Deceiued Subj. sig. Bj^v Finally, they enforme of a great purpose of strangers to correcte and chasten vs to the hazard of the Realme, which they wil auoyd by hazarding it themselues. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. v. 32 Is not thy Master with him? who, wer't so, Would haue inform'd for preparation. View more context for this quotation 1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. iv. facing p. 4 They held that the Senses inform not alwaies truly. 1683 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 287 Letters from Hungary inform of the good news of the emperors forces..haveing taken Gran. 1741 in G. Ogle tr. G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales II. 107 Now, Goddess, entring, view the Dome of State, Do thou inform, and give me to relate. 1837 Family Mag. 456/2 The privateer perceiving his change of course, instantly put up her helm also, and despatching a forty-two pound shot to inform of that fact, gave him chase. ?1877 J. J. MacDonald Poems 14 Science informs of a place that's below Whose nature inspires us with nothing but woe. 1961 Times 24 May 8/6 Norman Herbert Jones..pleaded Not Guilty to..failing to notify flight plans at Denham, Buckinghamshire, and to inform of his landing at Denham. 1989 Mod. Law Rev. 52 797 The basis of the patient's claim is essentially the doctor's failure to inform of risks. 1997 Integrated Strategies for Safety & Environment (O.E.C.D.) 71 The individual route guidance system for cars..informs about car parks with vacancies and recommends switching to public transport as appropriate. e. transitive. Science. In extended use: to send information or data about a situation or action to (something inanimate or impersonal). ΚΠ 1868 Jrnl. Anthropol. Soc. 6 p. xxxii A fly settles on the cheek and irritates the skin; the afferent or sensory nerve, by a flash from the spinal cord, informs the brain, and that instantly wills its removal. 1930 Sci. Monthly Dec. 547/1 Over these nerves travel the messages which inform the brain about our physical environment. 1962 Amer. Zoologist 2 37/2 Without spontaneous discharge, a single ending would be unable to inform the central nervous system of angular acceleration in both directions. 1984 P. Simmons Further Pract. Microelectronics ii. 69 The receiving devices pull this pin low to inform the PPI that it has read the data sent. 2008 J. M. Garrido & R. Schlesinger Princ. Mod. Operating Syst. ix. 239 When a device is turned on, it automatically informs the operating system that it is present. †3. To impart knowledge of (a subject, doctrine, method of action, etc.); to give instruction in, to teach. a. transitive. With the thing taught as object and the party instructed as indirect object: to teach a person (something); to instruct in (a subject, etc.). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach (a thing) to teach a thing971 learnc1175 kena1225 informa1393 showa1400 informc1400 precept?a1475 instruct?1520 to take forth1530 to take out1586 grind1815 a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 2669 (MED) I wol suie What thing that ye me wole enforme. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 5 So he taught and enformed hem here creaunce and feith. 1529 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. xiv. 252 No persone..shall enfourme or teche eny Foren, other than hys Apprentyce, eny poynte of his Crafte. c1600 (?c1395) Pierce Ploughman's Crede (Trin. Cambr. R.3.15) (1873) l. 272 Knowest þou ouȝt..a creatour on erþe, Þat coude me my Crede teche and trewliche enfourme. 1687 R. Franck Philos. Treat. Original & Production Things 65 If therefore another Man's knowledge profit me nothing except he enforms me the Measures he knows, [etc.]. b. transitive. Without indirect object. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach (a thing) to teach a thing971 learnc1175 kena1225 informa1393 showa1400 informc1400 precept?a1475 instruct?1520 to take forth1530 to take out1586 grind1815 c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xv. l. 548 Al for to enforme þe faith in fele contreyes. ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) i. pr. iv. 265 Certis þou enfourmedist [?c1425 Cambr. conformedest]..þis sentence, þat is to seyne þat commune þinges or comunabletes weren blysful yif [etc.]. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) Prol. 3 The sange of psalmes..quemes god, it enformes perfytnes, it dosaway & distroys noy and angire of saule. 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. xviii. 31 These Eglogues came after to containe and enforme morall discipline. 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Ff2^v The boundes of this knowledge are, that it sufficeth to conuince Atheisme; but not to informe Religion. View more context for this quotation 4. a. transitive. To provide (a magistrate or other person in authority) with accusatory or incriminatory information against a person or group. Cf. information n. 4, 5. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > informing on or against > inform on or against [verb (transitive)] wrayc725 meldeOE bimeldena1300 forgabc1394 to blow up?a1400 outsay?a1400 detectc1449 denounce1485 ascry1523 inform1526 promote1550 peach1570 blow1575 impeach1617 wheedle1710 split1795 snitch1801 cheep1831 squeal1846 to put away1858 spot1864 report1869 squawk1872 nose1875 finger1877 ruck1884 to turn over1890 to gag on1891 shop1895 pool1907 run1909 peep1911 pot1911 copper1923 finger1929 rat1932 to blow the whistle on1934 grass1936 rat1969 to put in1975 turn1977 society > communication > information > informing on or against > inform on or against [verb (transitive)] > inform (someone in authority) inform1526 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xxiv. 1 Ananias..with senioures, and with a certayne oratour named Tartullus,..enfourmed the ruelar agaynst Paul. 1592 T. Nashe Strange Newes sig. H4 Shall I informe thee (that vnfruitfullie endeuorst to informe authoritie against me) why I infixed those Poeticall latine margent notes to some fewe pages in the beginning of Pierce Pennilesse? 1648 R. Younge Cause & Cure Ignorance 95 Those false Prophets..sought to undermine Steven, that so they might have matter wherby to informe the Councell against him. a1723 G. Whitehead Christian Progress (1725) i. 68 The said John Gurden and Thomas Waldgrave, being both on the Bench, and our Adversaries and Accusers informed the Judge against us. 1791 T. King Check on Uncharitableness ii. v. 74 There was at that time in Court, a certain Orator, who informed the Judge against the prisoner. 1841 G. P. R. James Ancient Régime I. 42 His life was entirely in the hands of six or seven infamous spies, whose views and purposes it did not suit to inform the police against him. 1912 W. C. Braithwaite Beginnings Quakerism iv. 108 At the ensuing assizes the opposing justices informed the judge against him. 2003 Statesman (India) (Nexis) 20 Jan. The state government has..asked residents to inform the authorities against those found involved in poaching. b. intransitive. To give accusatory or incriminatory information about a person, their actions, etc., esp. to a person in authority; to bring a charge or complaint (cf. information n. 5).Chiefly with against, on. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > informing on or against > inform on or against [verb (intransitive)] inform1588 peach1598 whistle1599 sing1612 whiddlec1661 squeak1690 wheedle1710 whittle1735 to blow the gab1785 snitch1801 rat1810 nose1811 sing1816 gnarl1819 split1819 stag1839 clype1843 squeal1846 blow1848 to round on1857 nark1859 pimp1865 squawk1872 ruck1884 to come or turn copper1891 copper1897 sneak1897 cough1901 stool1911 tattle-tale1918 snout1923 talk1924 fink1925 scream1925 sarbut1928 grass1929 to turn over1967 dime1970 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. 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. S4^v, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) Sinisterly to speake, or otherwise to informe agaynst them. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xvi. 91 Twas he informd against him. View more context for this quotation 1661 Cure for Cuckold iv. i. sig. F This Informer..had belike some private dealings with her, and there got a Goose..This fellow in revenge for this, informs against the Bawd that kept the house. 1731 F. Hare Serm. 19 Who at this time does not think it not only commendable, but the Duty of every honest Man, to inform against those Monsters who set up for Incendiaries? 1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ii. 49 Even tho' 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. 1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 14 201 It seems to me doubtful whether the Crown can appoint anybody to go into Court and inform other than the Attorney General. 1889 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms xxiv Somebody had informed on the man. 1915 A. Conan Doyle Valley of Fear ii. iv. 232 What would you do?..You would not inform? 1987 A. S. Byatt Sugar 45 He felt reluctant to inform on the boy who seemed so harmless and considerate. 2000 S. Vickers Miss Garnet's Angel 74 And in the end a certain one of our tribe in Nineveh, doubtless seeking advancement or immunity for his own family, went and informed on me. 5. transitive (reflexive). To gain knowledge, instruction, or information; to acquaint oneself with something; to get to know, to learn. ΘΚΠ society > education > learning > [verb (reflexive)] inform1548 1548 A. Bacon tr. B. Ochino Serm. sig. Diii It would be a thing pleasaunt to me, if euerye man shulde make prayer to God for me,..that I might..enforme my selfe, I my selfe were it not by Christe, shoulde not knowe what to aske. 1583 R. P. tr. P. de la Sierra Second Pt. Myrror of Knighthood f. 330 Informing her selfe howe that he was gone towards Grecia, she did determine to follow him. a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. i. 169 Informe your selues, We neede no more of your aduice. View more context for this quotation 1623 W. 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 New Voy. around World v. 114 They confessed that they came purposely to view our Ship, and..to inform themselves what we were. 1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (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. 1847 G. Grote Hist. Greece III. ii. xvii. 306 Informing himself, moreover, of passing events by means of ubiquitous spies and officials. 1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 407 Edward..requires his ambassador to observe the young prince, and to inform himself of his character and disposition. 1897 G. Gissing Whirlpool i. vii. 74 Her acquaintances in London still took trouble to inform themselves of her movements. 1955 B. Pym Less than Angels v. 58 ‘It is a pity,’ he wrote, ‘that the author did not take the trouble to inform himself of some of the elementary facts underlying the social structure of these peoples.’ 2007 Times Educ. Suppl. (Nexis) 30 Mar. 6 She feels that she does not know enough about what each political party is offering in order to vote. And..she does not think she will have time to inform herself. II. To give form to, put into form or shape. 6. a. transitive. To put into (material) form or shape; to form, shape, mould, fashion, create; (also) to put into proper form or order. Now rare (chiefly poetic in later use).in quot. a1382: to form up (troops) for battle. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrange [verb (transitive)] stightc825 fadec1020 orderc1225 adightc1275 dightc1275 castc1320 raila1350 form1362 stightlea1375 rayc1380 informa1382 disposea1387 throwc1390 addressa1393 shifta1400 rengea1425 to set forth?c1450 rule1488 rummage1544 marshalc1547 place1548 suit1552 dispone1558 plat1587 enrange1590 draw1663 range1711 arrange1791 to lay out1848 the world > space > shape > shape or give shape to [verb (transitive)] i-schapeOE shapec1000 afaite?c1225 feigna1300 form1340 deformc1384 proportionc1384 throwc1390 figure?a1400 parec1400 mould1408 fashion1413 portrayc1450 effigure1486 porture1489 moul1530 shapen1535 frame1553 proportionate1555 efform1578 inform1590 formate1599 to shape out1600 infigure1611 figurate1615 immodelize1649 effinge1657 effigiate1660 configure1857 carpenter1884 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 370) 1 Chron. xii. 33 Of Zabulon that..stoden in the scheltrun, enfourmed [L. instructi] in armys of batail. tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) x. 85 (MED) Nowe medis newe enfourme..In places like a valey. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Love in W. W. Skeat Chaucerian & Other Pieces (1897) 53 Oon fader, maker of al goodnes, enformed hem al, and al mortal folk of one sede arn greyned. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. vi. sig. Hh^v Infinite shapes of creatures..Informed in the mud, on which the Sunne hath shynd. 1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. iii. v. 416 If he found her, he may as happily finde another; if hee made her,..he may as good cheap informe another. 1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §35 And so Omniety informed Nullity into an Essence. View more context for this quotation 1646 R. Crashaw Musicks Duell in Steps to Temple 103 Awakes his Lute, and 'gainst the fight to come Informes it. 1712 Misc. Poems & Transl. 224 The great Source and Parent of the Day, Fashion'd the Creature, and inform'd the Clay. 1763 G. Canning Epist. from William Lord Russell 18 Watch o'er my Son, inform his waxen youth. 1908 M. J. Cawein Poems V. 305 To..o'erwhelm the Death—that Winter throned Amid the trees,—with love that she [sc. Springtime] hath owned Since God informed her from His very breath. 1964 T. McGrath New & Sel. Poems 72 Now with his thought the rank and maundy world..He stiffens, as a hand informs a glove And drags each lank potential into form. †b. transitive. to inform the peace (and variants): to make peace. Obsolete. [Compare Old French enformer la pais (13th cent.).] ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > peace > pacification > make peace [verb (intransitive)] to make grithc1000 grith11.. to make peace?a1160 peasec1300 to inform the peace?a1400 to bury the hatchet1535 seal1596 pacificate1646 to beat swords into ploughshares1924 Locarnize1925 ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 285 Þider..com þe tresorere..þat had bien messengere with þe Cardinalle forto enforme þe pes. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) ii. 4026 Þo messengers camen..bifor Richard alle samen & enformed his pes. †c. transitive. To compose or formulate (a document). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > follow occupation of writer [verb (intransitive)] > compose indite1377 informc1450 compose1602 perform1703 c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 2751 A pistill he enfourmes [a1500 Trin. Dublin enformes], Wrate a writt of his will, so sendis to his princes. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xxxix. 53 He enformed his somones, and sent..to kepe the towne and fronters..agaynst his ennemies. †d. transitive. To delineate, sketch, describe. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > narration > description or act of describing > describe [verb (transitive)] sayOE devisec1300 readc1300 to make (a) showing ofc1330 counterfeitc1369 expressc1386 scrievec1390 descrya1400 scrya1400 drawa1413 representc1425 describec1450 report1460 qualify?1465 exhibit1534 perscribe1538 to set out1545 deline1566 delineate1566 decipher1567 denotate1599 lineate16.. denote1612 givea1616 inform?1615 to shape out1633 speaka1637 display1726 to hit off1737 ?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) i. 1 The man, O Muse, inform, that many a way Wound with his wisdom to his wished stay. †7. intransitive. To take form; to form or be formed; to appear in a visible shape. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > have (specific) shape [verb (intransitive)] > assume definite shape to be shota1450 inform1588 crystallize1796 shape1865 jell1908 1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 223 The Charitie of God is powred forth in thair hartes..and informes or inhæres in the same. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. i. 48 It is the bloody Businesse, which informes Thus to mine Eyes. View more context for this quotation 1652 News from Lowe Countreys 1 When, first, the first confused Masse Did, from its mish mash medley, passe To those four segregated forms, Whose re-commixture now informs. III. To give form or determinant character to: see form n. 4. 8. a. transitive. Originally: to give determinant character to (see form n. 4). Hence: to imbue, or impregnate with a specific quality or attribute; to impart some pervading quality or spirit to; (also) to fill or affect (the mind or heart) with a feeling, thought, etc.; to inspire.Quot. a1425 could be understood as exemplifying sense 8b.In quot. c1450: to give form to (a statement, principle, etc.); to exemplify, illustrate. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > quality of affecting the emotions > affect with emotion [verb (transitive)] rineOE afaite?c1225 stir?c1225 movea1325 amovec1380 inspire1390 commove1393 informa1398 toucha1400 embracec1430 rore1481 alter1529 to carry away?1529 raise1533 removea1540 heavec1540 affect?1548 carry1570 inmove1583 infecta1586 worka1616 unthaw1699 emove1835 emotionize1855 emotion1875 the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > introduction or bringing in > introduce or bring something in [verb (transitive)] > infuse sheda1325 bedew1340 distil1393 informa1398 transfusec1425 pourc1451 infudea1500 infuse1526 tan1530 colour1536 suck1549 imbrue1565 dewc1572 inspire1576 steep1603 infect1605 imbreathe1609 impregn1652 transfund1670 influence1691 bleed1866 render1885 taste1904 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 130 Aristotel seiþ þat fourme haþ hit silf as it were a man, for he may enfourme many matieris, as a man may brynge many wommen wiþ childe. a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 115 Þus bi greetnesse of feiþ, enfourmed wiþ charite, ben siche soulis maad hool. c1450 (?c1425) St. Christina in Anglia (1885) 8 125 At þis be shewed wiþ ensaumpil, wee enforme hit þat wee haue seyde wiþ a dede of Cristyne. a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) v. iii. 71 The God of Souldiers..informe Thy thoughts with Noblenesse. View more context for this quotation 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica ii. ii. 61 If an iron be touched before..it admits not this magneticall impression, as being already informed by the Load-stone. View more context for this quotation 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 13. ¶6 Could they..inform their Faces with as significant Looks and Passions. 1758 W. Blackstone Study of Law in Comm. Laws Eng. (1765) I. 37 [To] inform them with a desire to be still better acquainted with the laws and constitution of their country. 1830 Ld. Tennyson Sleeping Beauty ii, in Poems 144 Her constant beauty doth inform Stillness with love and day with light. 1861 J. S. Mill Utilitarianism 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. 1928 W. E. Brown Archit. Middle Ages ii. 108 It remains to be shown how the Church, as a free juridical society, informed the institutions of the Middle Ages with the governance of law. 1984 J. Barnes Flaubert's Parrot viii. 113 Given the benign impatience of his traveller, Flaubert informs the excursion with an approving lyricism. 1999 Jrnl. Afr. Cultural Stud. 12 169 His racial/national identity informs his work with authenticity. b. transitive. Of a quality, principle, etc.: to be the determinant principle of; to give a thing its essential quality or character; to inspire, animate; to pervade. In later use more generally: (of an experience, etc.) to influence, to affect. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > essence or intrinsic nature > inform or give a thing its essence [verb (transitive)] graitha1300 make1340 informa1398 essentiate1561 informate1594 formalize1597 essentialize1669 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 27 Þis spirit animalis..passiþ in þe middel den þat hatte logica to make þe intellect and vndirstondinge parfite. And whanne he haþ informed þe intellect, þanne he passiþ to þe denne of mynde. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 33 (MED) Cristen men..when feithe and grace of sacramentes informede the life of theyme. ?1555 T. Paynell tr. J. L. Vives Office of Husband sig. Qiiij The good example of y^e husband, the which to informe and fashion the womans life, and his family withall, is of no lesse valure and force, then the example of a prince to informe the publique maners & customes of a citye. 1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles i. i Without loue..All vertues borne in men lye buried, For loue informes them as the Sunne dothe colours. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 593 Not all parts like, but all alike informd Which [read With] radiant light, as glowing Iron with fire. View more context for this quotation 1700 S. Cobb Poetae Britannici 12 Unstol'n Promethean Fire informs his Song. 1771 ‘The Trifler’ 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 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. vii. 132 The elements..and what of them is made, Are by created virtue inform'd. 1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 31 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. 1912 H. Belloc This & That 222 Just as an Englishman is English or as a poem is informed by a definite scheme of rhythm. 1942 E. K. Chambers Sheaf of Stud. 100 There can be no doubt that an early familiarity..with great books is one of the forces which make most strongly for education. Insensibly, by ways silent and undreamt of, it informs the character and moulds the imagination. 1996 Observer Life 31 Mar. 24/1 The belief that the British working class is in terminal decline is often informed by a particular idea about what working classness is. 2001 Amer. Hist. Rev. 106 1512/2 We see little of how his early experience informed his worldview or affected his inner life. c. transitive. spec. Of a soul, life, etc.: to impart life or spirit to; to inspire, animate. ΘΚΠ the world > life > source or principle of life > vital principle > impart vital principle [verb (transitive)] inspirea1382 inform1594 actuate1597 spirit1606 vitalize1678 staminate1720 1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits iv. 50 If a reasonable soule informe a well instrumentalized body (as was that of Adam) his knowledge comes little behind that of the subtillest diuell. 1606 L. Bryskett Disc. Ciuill Life 129 His opinion..that the soules were created in a certaine number, to the end they might informe so many bodies. ?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxii. 311 A soul of iron informs thee. 1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §12 If one Soul were so perfect as to inform three distinct Bodies, that were a petty Trinity. View more context for this quotation 1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. III iii. 105 Plotinus and Hermes Trismegistus tel us ‘that Images were made as bodies to be informed by Ghosts as with souls’. 1700 M. Prior Carmen Sæculare 17 Long as Breath informs this fleeting Frame. 1769 T. Smollett Adventures of Atom I. 32 All the most eminent physicians in Japan were consulted about this strange tickling and tingling, and among these the celebrated Fan-sey, whose spirit afterwards informed the body of Rabelais. a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) iv. 116 How the immortal Soul with God-like power Informs, creates, and thaws the deepest sleep That time can lay upon her. 1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. iv. 53 When nature gave it [sc. the soul] to inform her mold. 1878 B. Taylor Prince Deukalion ii. iv. 81 By one soul Informed. 1912 F. B. Money-Coutts Psyche 34 Sculpture and painting brought their brave array Of sensuous matter by a soul informed. 1982 J. J. E. Gracia tr. F. Suarez Suarez On Individuation vi. 126 The same soul can naturally inform various matters at different times. 2004 B. Kreitzer Reforming Mary vi. 124 The ‘second’ conception, when the newly created soul informs the body. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022). > see also also refers to : in-formadj.² < adj.¹1546v.c1350 see also
随便看	snazzy sncc sncf snead sneads sneak sneak preview sneak up on sneak- sneak-boat sneak-box sneak-boy sneak-cup sneak-current sneak-guest sneak-hunting sneak-pasty sneak-preview sneak-shooting sneak-thief sneak-thiefery sneak-thievery sneak-thieving sneak-up sneakaway

informadj.1

informv.

> see also

informadj.¹