inform

inform vb

1 Inform, animate, inspire, fire are comparable when they mean to infuse (a person or thing) with something (as a spirit, a principle, an idea, or a passion) that gives him or it effective power or an urge to action or activity. Sometimes, especially in the last three words, the idea of driving or actuating is so strong that it becomes their common denotation and the idea of infusion is merely a common connotation.

To inform is to give character or essence to or to so permeate as to become the characteristic, peculiar, essential, and often abiding, quality of

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the inspiration of religion passed on to inform and subtly to perfume an art nominally concerned with the aspects of earth and sky, wild creatures and wild flowers— Binyon

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everything that is made from without and by dead rules, and does not spring from within through some spirit informing it— Wilde

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sentimental, Protestant ethos that has always informed his writing— Fiedler

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To animate is to endow with life, a vital principle, or an impulse to action. Although animate is often used where inform is also possible, it suggests, far more than inform, vitality and living energy

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religion . . . which is animated ... by faith and hope— Johnson

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When what is affected is a person or when motivation of action or transiency of impulse is to be implied, animate is the more precise word

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he was animated with love for all men

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when the community is animated with anger against some heinous offence— Alexander

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his hatred of restraint animated his resistance to authority

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To inspire is to communicate to a person, as if by breathing into him, power or energy in excess of what he believes to be his own. The word usually implies both the operation of a supernatural power or of some inexplicable agency and such an effect as a spiritual illumination, or a quickening of intellectual or imaginative activity, or an exaltation of feeling

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great artists know or believe that they are inspired from something outside themselves— Alexander

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that sublimated language used by the finest minds in their inspired moments— Hudson

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we climb the mountains for their views and the sense of grandeur they inspire— Jefferiesy

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Inspire may also imply indirect rather than inexplicable influence, methods, or source (as in imparting knowledge or arousing a feeling)

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teachers should inspire their pupils to work hard

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today's editorial on the mayor's policy was certainly inspired; it does not represent the editor's views but those of someone in power

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To fire is to animate or inspire so powerfully that one is inflamed with passion, ardor, or enthusiasm

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one step beyond the boundary of the laws fires him at once in Freedom's glorious cause— Cowper

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O how they fire the heart devout— Burns

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Analogous words: infuse, inoculate, imbue, leaven: instill, implant, inculcate: enlighten, *illuminate: fire, kindle (see LIGHT vb): endue, endow (see DOWER)

2 Inform, acquaint, apprise, advise, notify are comparable when meaning to make (one) aware or cognizant of something.

One informs a person of something when one imparts knowledge, particularly of occurrences or of facts necessary to the understanding of a situation

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inform a person of his success in a competition

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the radio announcer informed his audience of the accident

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kept the staff informed of Chinese public opinion concerning the American military action there— Current Biog.

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Also, one informs oneself when by study or investigation one gathers the pertinent facts

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his obligation as a citizen is to inform himself . . . regarding the controversial issues— Houston

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Inform in one specific use also carries the implication of talebearing or accusation

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I shall not inform upon you. It is not my business— Wilde

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One acquaints a person with something when by introducing him to the experience of it or by imparting information concerning it one makes him familiar with it

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in the first meeting of the class, the teacher acquainted his pupils with the program of study

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to acquaint people with information instead of just telling it to them— Gowers

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Familiarity is even more strongly implied in the participial adjective acquainted

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the explanation ... is clear enough to anyone acquainted with the history of Puritan thought— Parrington

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a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief— Isa 53:3

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One apprises a person of something when by a message or sign one communicates it to him

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he has apprised his employer of his intention to resign

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I made up my mind to send the waiter to . . . apprise him that I was there— Mary Austin

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One advises a person of something when one gives him information about it, especially of a kind that is important to him (as in making a decision, determining a policy, or arranging plans)

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the president asked to be kept advised of changes in public sentiment

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consulted the wine card and advised me that the wine I had chosen had no special merit— Lovetty

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Often there is a suggestion of forewarning or counsel (see also advise under ADVICE 1)

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the passengers were advised of the risk before the vessel left New York

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against which a solemn trespass board advised us— Mary Austin

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One notifies a person of something when one sends a notice or formal communication concerning it, usually as a matter requiring his attention

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notify students of a change in the date of opening college

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the court clerk promised to notify the witnesses when to appear

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In commercial use, advise is used in preference to notify when information is given by letter, telegram, or cable

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please advise us when the shipment is made

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Analogous words: *communicate, impart: *teach, instruct, school, discipline, educate, train: *warn, forewarn, caution