inform
UK[ɪnˈfɔːm]US[ɪnˈfɔːrm]
v
To tell someone about something, especially in an official way.
v
To give a particular quality or character to something.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
form
in
in, into
form
shape
Etymology
The verb "inform" entered Middle English from Anglo-French enfourmer and Old French enformer, which derived from Latin informare, meaning "to shape, give form to, delineate, educate." The Latin term is a compound of the prefix in- ("into") and the verb formare ("to shape, form"). The core semantic journey is from the literal, physical act of shaping or molding a material object to the metaphorical act of shaping the mind with knowledge, instruction, or character. Thus, the modern abstract sense of "to tell or instruct" evolved logically from this ancient concept of imparting form to thought or understanding.
Analysis
Structure: in (in, into) + form (shape)
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "in, into, on".
- form: Latin origin (from forma, meaning "shape, form, beauty"), serving as the root conveying the core concept of giving shape or structure.
Examples
The leaflet informs customers about healthy eating options.
Please inform the committee of any changes to the schedule.
A deep respect for tradition informs all his work.