3. One who offers an accusation; an informer. See Informer. [Obs. or
R.]
It was the last evidence of the kind; the informant was hanged.
Burke.
In`for*ma"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. informatio representation,
conception. See Inform, v. t.] 1. The act of informing, or
communicating knowledge or intelligence.
The active informations of the intellect.
South.
2. News, advice, or knowledge, communicated by others or obtained by
personal study and investigation; intelligence; knowledge derived from
reading, observation, or instruction.
Larger opportunities of information.
Rogers.
He should get some information in the subject he intends to handle.
Swift.
3. (Law) A proceeding in the nature of a prosecution for some offense
against the government, instituted and prosecuted, really or nominally,
by some authorized public officer on behalf of the government. It
differs from an indictment in criminal cases chiefly in not being based
on the finding of a grand jury. See Indictment.
In*form"a*tive (?), a. Having power to inform, animate, or vivify. Dr.
H. More.
In*form"a*to*ry (?), a. Full of, or conveying, information;
instructive. [R.] London Spectator.
In*formed" (?n-f?rmd\'b6), a. Unformed or ill-formed; deformed;
shapeless. [Obs.] Spenser.
Informed stars. See under Unformed.
In*form"er (?), n. [From Inform, v.] 1. One who informs, animates, or
inspires. [Obs.] Thomson.
Nature, informer of the poet's art.
Pope.