In*form" (?), a. [L. informis;
pref. in- not + forma form, shape: cf. F.
informe] Without regular form; shapeless; ugly;
deformed. Cotton.
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.
Let others better mold the running mass
Of metals, and inform the breathing brass.
Dryden.
Breath informs this fleeting
frame.
Prior.
Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal
part.
Pope.
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.
For he would learn their business secretly,
And then inform his master hastily.
Spenser.
I am informed thoroughly of the
cause.
Shak.
3. To communicate a knowledge of facts to, by
way of accusation; to warn against anybody.
Tertullus . . . informed the governor against
Paul.
Acts xxiv. 1.
Syn. -- To acquaint; apprise; tell; teach; instruct;
enlighten; animate; fashion.
In*form", v. t. 1.
To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
[Obs.]
It is the bloody business which informs
Thus to mine eyes.
Shak.
2. To give intelligence or information; to
tell. Shak.
He might either teach in the same manner, or
inform how he had been taught.
Monthly
Rev.
To inform against, to communicate facts by
way of accusation against; to denounce; as, two persons came to the
magistrate, and informed against A.
