Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - inform

 verb  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French enformer, from Latin ~are, from in- + forma form  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1. obsolete to give material form to  2.  a. to give character or essence to the principles which ~ modern teaching  b. to be the characteristic quality of ; animate the compassion that ~s her work  3. obsolete guide, direct  4. obsolete to make known  5. to communicate knowledge to ~ a prisoner of his rights  intransitive verb  1. to impart ~ation or knowledge  2. to give ~ation (as of another's wrongdoing) to an authority ~ed on a member of his own gang Synonyms:  ~, acquaint, apprise, notify mean to make one aware of something. ~ implies the imparting of knowledge especially of facts or occurrences ~ed us of the crisis. acquaint lays stress on introducing to or familiarizing with acquaint yourself with the keyboard. apprise implies communicating something of special interest or importance keep us apprised of the situation. notify implies sending notice of something requiring attention or demanding action notified the witness when to appear.