Definition of "inform"

inform¹

/ɪnˈfɔɹm/

verb
third-person singular simple present informs, present participle informing, simple past and past participle informed
1. (archaic, transitive) To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
2. (transitive) To communicate knowledge to.
  Quotations
  For he would learn their business secretly, / And then inform his master hastily.
  1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […]
  I am informed thoroughly of the cause.
  c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene i]
3. (intransitive) To impart information or knowledge.
4. To act as an informer; denounce.
5. (transitive) To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).
  Quotations
  WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets.
  2013 June 7, Gary Younge, “Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 18
  Let others better mould the running mass / Of metals, and inform the breathing brass
  1697, Virgil, “The Sixth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], page 397, lines 1169-1170
  O! long as breath informs this fleeting frame / Ne'er let me pass in silence Dorset's name
  1858, Matthew Prior, The poetical works of Matthew Prior, Edinburgh: Printed by Ballantyne and Company, page 120, line 401
6. (obsolete, intransitive) To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
7. (obsolete, transitive) To direct, guide.
8. (archaic, intransitive) To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
  Quotations
  It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes.
  c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene i]

inform²

/ɪnˈfɔɹm/

adjective
not comparable
1. Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
  Quotations
  Bleak Crags, and naked Hills, And the whole Prospect so inform and rude
  1765, Charles Cotton, “Wonders of Peake”, in Poetical Works, page 342

Definition of "inform"

inform1

verb

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inform2

adjective

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inform¹

inform²