inform
inform [ĭn-fôrmʹ] verb
informed, informing, informs
verb, transitive
1. a. To impart information to; make aware of something: We were informed by mail of the change in plans. The nurse informed me that visiting hours were over. b. To acquaint [oneself] with knowledge of a subject.
2. To give form or character to; imbue with a quality or an essence: "A society's strength is measured by . . . its ability to inform a future generation with its moral standards" [Vanity Fair].
3. To be a pervasive presence in; animate: "It is this brash, backroom sensibility that informs his work as a novelist" [Jeff Shear].
4. Obsolete. To form [the mind or character] by teaching or training.
verb, intransitive
1. To give or provide information.
2. To disclose confidential or incriminating information to an authority: The defendant informed against the other members of the ring.
[Middle English enfourmen, informen, from Old French enfourmer, from Latin īnfōrmāre : in-, in. See in-2 + fōrmāre, to fashion [from fōrma, form].]