| 释义 |
▪ I. inform, a.|ɪnˈfɔːm|
[a. F. informe (15th–16th c. in Godef. Compl.), ad. L. informis shapeless, deformed, f. in- (in-3) + forma form.]
1. Having no definite or regular form; unshapen, misshapen, deformed. arch.
1555Eden Decades 261 The damme with continuall lyckynge by lyttle and lyttle figurethe the informe byrthe. 1633Hart Diet of Diseased iii. xxviii. 344 Metamorphosing the whole man into an informe monster. 1660Jer. Taylor Duct. Dubit. iv. i. rule 3 §14 Not if it [the fœtus] was inform and unshapen. 1681Cotton Wond. Peak Poet. Wks. (1765) 342 Bleak Crags, and naked Hills, And the whole Prospect so inform and rude. 1888R. Buchanan City of Dream xi. 227 Moloch and Baal, two shapes Inform and monstrous.
2. Without form; formless; of the nature of matter unendowed with ‘form’ or the informing principle: see form n. 4, inform v. 3.
1654Vilvain Theorem. Theol. i. 25 An inform lump..without a Soul is neither Man nor Beast. 1656Stanley Hist. Philos. v. (1701) 208/1 Nature in it self inform, when it receives form from God is the Angelick Mind. 1681Wharton Disc. Soul World Wks. (1683) 648 God is Light, in which there is no Darkness; that is Form wherein there is nothing Inform. 1707Norris Treat. Humility iv. 166 In the old creation we read of a void and inform mass. 1881Blackie Lay Serm. v. 170 His transforming energy triumphs..over the inform domain of the unfruitful clod.
b. inform (also informed, informal) inform faith (fides informis), in Scholastic Theology, faith that is not informed, vitalized or animated by charity (which is said to be the ‘form’ or formative principle of faith). Cf. informed a. 1.[Cf. Thomas Aquinas Summa 2–2, q. 4, etc.; Petrus Lombardus 3. sent. dist. 23. lit. C.] a1656Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 269 Every faith makes not an effectual calling;..there is an inform, there is a counterfeit Faith.
▪ II. inform, v.|ɪnˈfɔːm|
Forms: α. 4–6 enfourme, 4–7 enforme, 5 enfoorme, 7–8 enform. β. 4–6 infowrme, 4–7 informe, 5–6 infourme, 6– inform.
[a. OF. enformer, -fourmer (mod.F. informer), ad. L. informāre to give form to, shape, fashion, form an idea of, describe, f. in- (in-2) + forma form. The Latin form of the prefix became common (as in F.) in the 16th c., and prevailed after 1600.
The primary sense had undergone various developments in ancient and med.Latin, and in French, before the word appeared in Eng.; hence the chronology of the senses in Eng. does not agree with the logical order. In general, branches I and III were in ancient L.; II was a Scholastic L. offshoot from I; IV was app. an Eng. offshoot from III, with the thing taught made the object, instead of the person taught.]
I. To give form to, put into form or shape.
†1.
a. trans. To put into (material) form or shape; to form, shape, frame, mould, fashion. Obs.
1590Spenser F.Q. iii. vi. 8 Infinite shapes of creatures..Informed in the mud on which the Sunne hath shynd. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. ii. iii. v. (1651) 345 If he found her, he may as happily find another; if he made her..he may as cheap inform another. 1643Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. i. §35 And so Omniety informed Nullity into an Essence.
†b. To put into proper form or order, to arrange; to compose (a writing). Obs. † to enforme the pes (OF. enformer la pais), to compose or make peace.
c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 285 Þider..com þe tresorere..þat had bien messengere With þe Cardinalle forto enforme þe pes. 1382Wyclif 1 Chron. xii. 33 Of Zabulon that..stoden in the scheltrun, enfourmed in armys of batail. a1400–50Alexander 2751 A pistill he enfourmes, Wrate a writt of his will, so sendis to his princes. 1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xxxix. 53 He enformed his somones, and sent..to kepe the towne and fronters..agaynst his ennemies. c1646Crashaw Poems, Music's Duel 87 Awakes his lute, and 'gainst the fight to come Informs it. 1654–66Ld. Orrery Parthenissa (1676) 763 By that time I had informed these Resolutions, and dispatched these Expresses.
†c. To delineate, sketch, describe. (A Latin sense.) Obs.
1615Chapman Odyss. i. 1 The man, O Muse, inform, that many a way Wound with his wisdom to his wished stay.
†2. intr. To take form; to form or be formed; to appear in a visible shape. Obs.
1588A. King tr. Canisius' Catech. 223 The Charitie of God is powred forth in thair hartes..and informes or inhæres in the same. 1605Shakes. Macb. ii. i. 48 It is the bloody Businesse, which informes Thus to mine Eyes. 1652News fr. Lowe-Countr. 1 When, first, the first confused Masse Did, from its mish mash medley, passe To those four segregated forms, Whose re-commixture now informs.
II. To give ‘form’ or formative principle to: see form n. 4. (From Scholastic L. informare: Petrus Lombardus, etc.)
3. a. trans. To give ‘form’, formative principle, or determinative character to; hence, to stamp, impress, imbue, or impregnate with some specific quality or attribute; esp. to impart some pervading, active, or vital quality to, to imbue with a ‘spirit’; to fill or affect (the mind or heart) with a feeling, thought, etc.; to inspire, animate.
(The first quot. may belong to b; the second appears to contain the sense ‘to furnish with a practical example, to illustrate’.)
c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. I. 115 Þus bi greetnesse of feiþ enfourmed wiþ charite ben siche soulis maad hool. c1425St. Christina xv. in Anglia VIII. 125/25 At þat be shewed wiþ ensaumpil, wee enforme hit þat wee haue seyde, wiþ a dede of Cristyne. 1607Shakes. Cor. v. iii. 71 The God of Souldiers..informe Thy thoughts with Noblenesse. 1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. ii. ii. 61 If an iron be touched before..it admits not this magneticall impression, as being already informed by the Load-stone. 1711Addison Spect. No. 13 ⁋6 Could they..inform their Faces with as significant Looks and Passions. 1758Blackstone Study of Law in Comm. (1765) I. 37 [To] inform them with a desire to be still better acquainted with the laws and constitution of their country. 1842Tennyson Day-Dream, Sleeping Beauty ii, Her constant beauty doth inform Stillness with love, and day with light. 1861Mill Utilit. ii. 32 The Christian religion is fitted to inform the hearts and minds of mankind with a spirit which should enable them to find for themselves what is right.
b. Said of the quality or principle: To be the ‘form’ or formative principle of; to give a thing its essential quality or character, to make it what it is; to pervade as a spirit, inspire, animate.
1432–50tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 33 When feithe and grace of sacramentes informede the life of theyme [Cristen men]. 1605Chapman Al Fooles i. i, Without loue..All vertues borne in men lye buried, For loue informes them as the Sunne dothe colours. 1667Milton P.L. iii. 593 Not all parts like, but all alike informd With radiant light, as glowing Iron with fire. 1771Muse in Miniature 144 This scull might once contain Some rich materials for the lofty strain, Enform'd, enrapt with more than mortal fire. 1814Cary Dante, Paradise vii. 132 The elements..and what of them is made, Are by created virtue inform'd. 1821Shelley Prometh. Unb. i. 249 Speak the words which I would hear, Although no thought inform thine empty voice. 1871M. B. Betham-Edwards Sylvestres II. ii. 38 Even in..happy England the spirit of caste informs the very breath and life of the nation.
c. spec. Of a soul or life: To impart life or spirit to; to inspire, animate, actuate.
1606L. Bryskett Civ. Life 129 His opinion..that the soules were created in a certaine number, to the end they might informe so many bodies. c1611Chapman Iliad xxii. 311 A soul of iron informs thee. 1643Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. i. §12 If one Soul were so perfect as to inform three distinct Bodies, that were a petty Trinity. 1677Gale Crt. Gentiles iii. 105 Plotinus and Hermes Trismegistus tel us ‘that Images were made as bodies to be informed by Ghosts as with souls’. 1700Prior Carmen Sec. 403 Long as Breath informs this fleeting Frame. 1805Wordsw. Prelude iv. 167 How the immortal soul with God-like power Informs, creates, and thaws the deepest sleep That time can lay upon her. 1878B. Taylor Pr. Deukalion ii. iv. 81 By one soul Informed.
III. To give form to the mind, to discipline, instruct, teach (a person), to furnish with knowledge.
4. trans.
a. To form, mould, or train (the mind, character, etc.), esp. by imparting learning or instruction; hence, To impart instruction to (a person), to instruct, teach (in general sense); † to advise (quot. 1330). Now rare.
c1330R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 315 Þo ilk men so wise suld go, and enforme zour kynges, Withouten mo justise or trauaile of oþer lordynges. a1340Hampole Psalter xxxi. 10 Vndirstandynge i sall gif till þe, and i sall enfourme þe [instruam te]. c1440Promp. Parv. 261/2 Informyn, or techyn, informo, instruo. c1450tr. De Imitatione iii. vi. 70 Visite me, lorde, ofte tymes, & enforme wiþ disciplines of konnyng. 1514Barclay Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.) p. lxxii, His sight infourmeth the rude and ignorant. 1526Tindale 1 Cor. ii. 16 For who knoweth the mynde of the lorde, other who shall informe hym? 1589Nashe Almond for Parrat 10 a, The nouice that comes to be informed, desireth to enforme others, before he bee enformed himselfe. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. i. ii. iv. ii. (1651) 145 That leaves his son to a covetous Schoolemaster to be informed. 1794Gifford Baviad 270 So may thy varied verse, from age to age Inform the simple, and delight the sage. 1824G. W. Doane Hymn, ‘Thou art the Way’ ii, Thou only canst inform the mind. 1878Morley J. De Maistre in Crit. Misc. 137 To guide and inform an universal conscience.
†b. To train or discipline in some particular course of action; to instruct in some particular subject, doctrine, etc.; to teach how to do something. Const. of, to, in, with, or with inf. or subord. clause. Obs.
c1320R. Brunne Medit. 238 In þe secunde þou mayst se How he enformed hem yn charyte. c1374Chaucer Boeth. i. pr. iii. 6 (Camb. MS.) Oonly for they weeren enformyd of myne maneres. c1375Sc. Leg. Saints, Nycholas 55 His fadir..Gert informe hyme besyly In liberale hartis sutely. 1382Wyclif Dan. xii. 3 Thei that lernen [gloss or enfourmen] manye to riȝtwijsnesse. c1400Destr. Troy iii. heading, Medea enformed Iason to get the fflese of Golde. a1529Skelton Replyc. Wks. 1843 I. 209 They were but febly enformed in maister Porphiris problemes. 1529More Dyaloge i. Wks. 132/2 He nedeth not our aduice to enforme hym what thing were sufficient occasion to worke hys wonders for. 1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. xxvi. (Arb.) 67 Musicians..by good admonitions enformed them to the frugall and thriftie life all the rest of their dayes. 1607Hieron Wks. (1624) I. 334 First, to teach vs to eschew Euill, and then to enforme vs how to doe good. 1736Butler Analogy ii. viii. 393 Nor are we informed by nature, in future contingencies and accidents.
†c. To give instructions or directions for action; to instruct, direct, bid (to do something). Obs.
c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 351 And þei enformen þer cuntreis to holde stifli wiþ þer pope. 1390Gower Conf. III. 229 To done as he was last enformed. c1449Pecock Repr. i. xiii. 66 Enformyng and tising ther to vnsufficient[l]i leerned clerkis. 1645E. Pagitt Heresiogr. (1661) 201 But, the voice from Heaven enformed him otherwise. Bade him, Rise, kill, eat. 1740Shenstone Judgm. Hercules 268 And gentle zephyrs..For thy repose inform..Their streams to murmur and their winds to sigh.
†d. To direct, guide. Obs.
1634Milton Comus 180 Where else Shall I inform my unacquainted feet, In the blind mazes of this tangled wood? 1671― Samson 335 If old respect.. hither hath informed Your younger feet. 1846Keble Lyra Innoc. (1873) 129 Strange powers their course inform.
5. a. To impart knowledge of some particular fact or occurrence to (a person); to tell (one) of or acquaint (one) with something; to apprise. Const. of, about, on, or with subordinate clause; rarely † with, † in, or second obj. The prevailing modern sense.
c1386Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 327 Enformed whan the kyng was of that knyght. c1400Destr. Troy 3011 He was enformyt before of þat fre lady, Þat ho to Castor..accounttid was euon, And to Pollux, pure suster. 1529More in Four C. Eng. Lett. 11, I am enfourmed by my son Heron of the loss of our barnes. 1548Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 141 b, Some have enformed me that my realme was never so riche. 1651Baxter Inf. Bapt. 116 They were enformed that Paul taught the dispersed Jews not to circumcise their children. 1655Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. ii. §34, I have for that cause informed the Bishop of Dublin with all mine occurrences. 1713Addison Cato v. i. 24 This in a moment brings me to an end; But this informs me I shall never die. 1718Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Mrs. Thistlethwayte 4 Jan., I would gladly be informed of the news among you. 1775Sheridan Rivals Pref. p. viii, For on subjects on which the mind has been much informed, invention is slow of exerting itself. 1787William of Normandy II. 10 Soon were they informed the deceitful cause. 1841D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 360 Ascham informs us that..Elizabeth understood Greek better than the canons of Windsor. 1841Lane Arab. Nts. I. 85 He informed him who he was. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. ii. 13 We were informed of the descent of an avalanche by the sound. 1863G. Macdonald D. Elginbrod III. iii. x. 170 Do not hesitate to inform us on all possible subjects. 1880Disraeli Endym. II. lxi. 255 It must be a mind..fairly informed on the questions involved in the wealth of nations. 1888Mrs. H. Ward R. Elsmere III. xliii. 254 The Frenchman..had been informed about him. 1944P. Cheyney They never say When xi. 172 It seems an amazing thing that you didn't inform someone about this. 1963S. Brorström Increasing Frequency Preposition ‘About’ viii. 323 ‘Inform about’ is an accepted construction in sentences like ‘Did he inform you about it?’, ‘I wasn't informed about it’, i.e. in sentences where the preposition is followed by it.
b. spec. To furnish (a magistrate or the like) with accusatory information against a person. (Cf. information 4, 5.)
1526Tindale Acts xxiv. 1 Ananias..with senioures, and with a certayne oratour named Tartullus,..enfourmed the ruelar agaynst Paul.
c. With quoted words as object.
1877My Mother-in-Law xii. 112 ‘Baby is not very well, Charlie,’ Bessie informed me. 1881Mrs. J. H. Riddell Senior Partner I. xiv. 290 ‘Ye're out of your mind, Janet,’ Mr. McCullagh informed her.
6. refl. [= F. s'informer] (from 4 and 5). To gain knowledge, instruction, or information; to acquaint oneself with something; to get to know, to learn. Const. as in 4 and 5.
1611Shakes. Wint. T. ii. i. 167 Informe your selues, We neede no more of your aduice. 1623Gouge Serm. Extent God's Provid. §15 The Bishop of London..sent to me to inform myself thorowly of the whole businesse. 1697W. Dampier Voy. I. 114 They confessed that they came purposely to view our Ship, and..to inform themselves what we were. 1747in Col. Rec. Pennsylv. (1851) V. 84 To inform myself how you do and what passes among the Indians. 1775C. Johnston Pilgrim 208 The motive..was to inform myself particularly in the laws. 1861M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 36 Edward..requires his ambassador to observe the young prince, and to inform himself of his character and disposition.
7. absol. or intr.
†a. To give information; to report. Obs.
1605Shakes. Macb. i. v. 34 Is not thy Master with him? who, wer't so, Would haue inform'd for preparation. 1656Stanley Hist. Philos. iv. (1701) 134/1 They held that the Senses inform not always truly. 1683Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) I. 287 Letters from Hungary inform of the good news of the emperors forces..haveing taken Gran.
b. To lay or exhibit an information, bring a charge or complaint (against, rarely on).
1586A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 122 Sinisterly to speake, or otherwise to enforme against them. 1588–9Act 31 Eliz. c. 5 §3 Any suche officers of recorde, as have..heretofore laufullye used to exhibite informacions, or sue upon penall lawes..may informe and pursue in that behalfe, as they might have done before the making of this Acte. 1605Shakes. Lear iv. ii. 93 'Twas he inform'd against him. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xxi, Even though it may benefit the public, you must not inform against him. 1809R. Langford Introd. Trade 9 Parties have reason to fear being informed against. 1884Sir J. C. Day in Law Rep. 14 Q. Bench Div. 201 It seems to me doubtful whether the Crown can appoint anybody to go into Court and inform other than the Attorney General. 1889Boldrewood Robbery under Arms xxiv, Somebody had informed on the man.
IV. To instruct in (a thing), impart the knowledge of, make known.
†8. trans. To impart the knowledge of (a subject, doctrine, method of action, etc.); to give instruction in, to teach.
a. To inform a person a thing. Obs.
1390Gower Conf. I. 132, I woll sue What thing, that ye me woll enforme. c1394P. Pl. Crede 272 Knowest þou ouȝt..a creatour on erþe, Þat coude me my Crede teche and trewliche enfourme. c1450Merlin 5 And so he taught and enformed hem here creaunce and feith. 1529in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. xiv. 252 No persone..shall enfourme or teche eny Foren, other than hys Apprentyce, eny poynte of his Crafte. 1621Burton Anat. Mel. i. i. i. i. (1651) 3 These chastisements are inflicted upon us..to informe and teach us wisdome.
†b. To inform a thing. Obs.
a1340Hampole Psalter Prol. 3 The sange of psalmes..quemes god, it enformes perfytnes, it dos away and distroys noy and angire of saule. c1374Chaucer Boeth. i. pr. iv. 13 (Addit. MS.) Certis thou enfourmedist [Camb. MS. conformedest]..þis sentence, þat is to seyne þat commune þinges or comunabletes weren blysful yif [etc.]. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. xv. 548 Al for to enforme þe faith in fele contreyes. 1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. xviii. (Arb.) 53 These Eglogues came after to containe and enforme morall discipline. 1605Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. vi. §1 The bounds of this knowledge are, that it sufficeth to convince atheism, but not to inform religion.
†9. To impart the knowledge of (a fact or occurrence); to make known, report, relate, tell.
a. To inform a person a thing: To let him know a thing, that something is, etc. Obs.
Here the personal object may be viewed as a dative: cf. the constr. with to in b. The thing told may in passive construction be expressed by the pronoun it introducing a subordinate clause (‘it was informed me that..’); this is distinguished from the construction with subordinate clause in 5, in that the passive form of the latter has the person as subject (‘I was informed that..’).
c1400Mandeville (1839) viii. 82 He commanded..to enforme me pleynly alle the Mysteries of Every place. 1470–85Malory Arthur vi. vii, For as it is enformed me thou..hast done grete despyte and shame vnto knyghtes of the round table. 1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cclv. 378 The vicount of Rochechoart was had in suspecte; for it was enfourmed the prince, howe he wolde turne frenche. 1548Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 61 It is informed us that your young and ryotous people will ryse. 1765Colman tr. Terence 170 Did not you inform him The bent of my affections? 1797Southey Lett. (1856) I. 46 My mother will inform you my town direction as soon as I have one. 1810Ho. Lancaster I. 149, I am compelled to inform you the reason of the meeting.
†b. To inform a thing (to a person). Sometimes spec. To make known or tell as an informer or accuser. Obs.
a1533Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) M iij, It shulde be informed to the senate. 1557North tr. Gueuara's Diall Pr. 134 b, The sonne informed the quarel to the Phylosopher. a1586Sidney Arcadia v. (1674) 461 Whatsoever hath been informed, was my fault. 1601Shakes. All's Well iv. i. 91 Haply thou mayst informe Something to saue thy life. a1616Beaum. & Fl. Bl. Brother iii. i, What affairs inform these out-cries? 1635Laud Wks. (1853) V. 336 My lord the bishop informs that that county is very full of impropriations. 1655Sir E. Nicholas in N. Papers (Camden) II. 311 Admitting..all to bee true which hee hath informed, can there bee a greater act of baseness then to betray a confident? 1681Burnet Hist. Ref. II. 67 It being informed to the Council, that Gardiner had written to some of that Board. 1711Light to Blind in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 142 A deserter came from the English army into the town, and informed that there was eight pieces of battering-cannon..on the roade from Dublin. 1753Pococke Descr. East I. 119 My servant talk'd..as if he was a spy, and had inform'd what presents I had made. |
