Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN-FORM', v.t. [Fr. informer; Sp. informar; It. informare; L. informo, to shape; in and formo, forma, form.]

1. Properly, to give form or shape to, but in this sense not used.
2. To animate; to give life to; to actuate by vital powers. Let others better mold the running mass / Of metals, and inform the breathing brass. Dryden. Breath informs this fleeting frame. Breathes in our soul, informs our vital part. Pope. [This use is chiefly or wholly poetical.]
3. To instruct; to tell to; to acquaint; to communicate knowledge to; to make known to by word or writing; usually followed by of. Before we judge, we should be well informed of the facts relating to the case. A messenger arrived and informed the commander of the state of the troops. Letters from Europe inform us of the commencement of hostilities between the Persians and Turks.
4. To communicate a knowledge of facts to one by way of accusation. Tertullus informed the governor against Paul. – Acts xxiv. In this application the verb is usually intransitive; as, A. informed against B.