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n. The act of infolding; the state of being infolded. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Pref. in- in + L. folium leaf. ] To cover or overspread with, or as with, leaves. [ R. ] Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let others better mold the running mass
Of metals, and inform the breathing brass. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Breath informs this fleeting frame. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

For he would learn their business secretly,
And then inform his master hastily. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am informed thoroughly of the cause. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To communicate a knowledge of facts to, by way of accusation; to warn against anybody. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul. Acts xxiv. 1.

Syn. -- To acquaint; apprise; tell; teach; instruct; enlighten; animate; fashion. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. informis; pref. in- not + forma form, shape: cf. F. informe ] Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed. Cotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It is the bloody business which informs
Thus to mine eyes. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To give intelligence or information; to tell. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He might either teach in the same manner, or inform how he had been taught. Monthly Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

To inform against, to communicate facts by way of accusation against; to denounce; as, two persons came to the magistrate, and informed against A. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + formal. ] 1. Not in the regular, usual, or established form; not according to official, conventional, prescribed, or customary forms or rules; irregular; hence, without ceremony; as, an informal writing, proceeding, or visit. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Deranged in mind; out of one's senses. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

These poor informal women. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Informalities 1. The state of being informal; lack of regular, prescribed, or customary form; as, the informality of legal proceedings. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An informal, unconventional, or unofficial act or proceeding; something which is not in proper or prescribed form or does not conform to the established rule. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an informal manner. [ 1913 Webster ]