inform English · revision 7284

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1325|origins=la informo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪnˈfɔːm/ ''(UK)''; /ɪnˈfoɹm/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English enfourmen, informen, [[bor|fro|enformer|t=to instruct, teach]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) and directly [[bor|la|informo|alt=infōrmāre|t=to shape, give form to; to train, describe]], from [[m|la|in-|t=into]] and [[m|la|formo|alt=fōrmāre|t=to form, shape]] (see [[form]]).^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) The form enform was also used until about 1600.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To train or instruct in a subject: probably before 1325 in Barnhart, the early 14th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To give form or a formative character to, to inspire, is from about 1380,^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) and to arrange or compose a writing from about 1330.^(OED 1989) To report facts or news, to tell, is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) ''Inform against'' or ''on'', to give incriminating information about someone, follows,^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) and [[informer]] is probably from before 1425.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1325 – to instruct.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1380 – to give form to.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – to tell facts.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1425 – informer.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To give facts or information to; to [[tell]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(inform on, against)'' To give incriminating information about someone to the authorities.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To give an essential or formative quality to; to [[pervade]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[informable]]

+ * [[informingly]]

+ * [[overinform]]

+ * [[preinform]]

+ * [[reinform]]

+ * [[informant]]

+ * [[information]]

+ * [[informative]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[informer]]

+ * [[form]]

+ * [[reform]]

+ * [[conform]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A rare adjective inform, formless, is from French informe or Latin informis (mid-16th century).^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}