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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Inform \In*form"\, a. [L. informis; pref. in- not forma form,
shape: cf. F. informe]
Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed. --Cotton.
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Inform \In*form"\, v. t.
1. To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
[Obs.]
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It is the bloody business which informs
Thus to mine eyes. --Shak.
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2. To give intelligence or information; to tell. --Shak.
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He might either teach in the same manner, or inform
how he had been taught. --Monthly Rev.
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{To inform against}, to communicate facts by way of
accusation against; to denounce; as, two persons came to
the magistrate, and informed against A.
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Inform \In*form"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Informed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Informing}.] [OE. enformen, OF. enformer, F. informer. L.
informare; pref. in- in formare to form, share, fr. forma
form. See {Form}.]
1. To give form or share to; to give vital or organizing
power to; to give life to; to imbue and actuate with
vitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to fashion. "The
informing Word." --Coleridge.
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Let others better mold the running mass
Of metals, and inform the breathing brass. --Dryden.
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Breath informs this fleeting frame. --Prior.
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Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part.
--Pope.
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2. To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to
acquaint; to advise; to instruct; to tell; to notify; to
enlighten; -- usually followed by of.
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For he would learn their business secretly,
And then inform his master hastily. --Spenser.
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I am informed thoroughly of the cause. --Shak.
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3. To communicate a knowledge of facts to, by way of
accusation; to warn against anybody.
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Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul.
--Acts xxiv.
1.

Syn: To acquaint; apprise; tell; teach; instruct; enlighten;
animate; fashion.
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