Word Origin & History
informearly 14c., "to train or instruct in some specific subject," from L. informare "to shape, form, train, instruct, educate," from in- "into" + forma "form." Sense of "report facts or news" first recorded late 14c. Informative "instructive" is from 1650s. Informer "one who gives information against another"
(especially in ref. to law-breaking) is from c.1500.