information-based

The compound adjective 'information-based' is a modern formation, reflecting the late 20th-century conceptualization of knowledge economies and data-driven systems. Its first element, 'information', originates from the Latin verb 'informare', which literally meant 'to give form to' or 'to shape an idea', a sense that evolved through Medieval Latin to mean 'instruction' or 'knowledge communicated'. The second element, 'based', derives from the Latin noun 'basis', meaning a base or pedestal, which entered English via French to denote a foundation or supporting principle. When combined, the term logically constructs the meaning of something 'having information as its foundation', directly linking the ancient concepts of shaping/formative knowledge and a physical/figurative base to describe contemporary reliance on data.

Structure: information + based - information: From Latin 'informare' (to shape, form, train, instruct). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning 'facts or knowledge provided'. - based: From Old French 'baser' (to lower, build a foundation), from Latin 'basis' (foundation). In this compound, it functions as a participial adjective suffix meaning 'having as a foundation'.