inform

Where does the word "inform" come from? It comes from Latin forma, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Inform’s story begins in Latin: forma meant “shape, mold.” Shape, mold, combined with in- (into). Within Latin, it grew into informare by ancient. To give form to, to instruct, from in- and formare. From there it passed into Old French as enformer by medieval. Carried into French for giving someone knowledge or instruction. It reached English by 1300s as inform. Settled as the English word for giving someone facts or knowledge. Today, inform means to give someone facts or knowledge about something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient forma "shape, mold", shape, mold, combined with in- (into).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient informare "to give form to, to instruct", to give form to, to instruct, from in- and formare.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval enformer "to give someone knowledge or instruction", carried into French for giving someone knowledge or instruction.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s inform "to give someone facts or knowledge", settled as the English word for giving someone facts or knowledge.