There are 18 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun information, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
information has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
About 300occurrences per million words in modern written English
1750 27 1760 42 1770 53 1780 70 1790 83 1800 84 1810 95 1820 92 1830 96 1840 91 1850 85 1860 76 1870 75 1880 74 1890 73 1900 72 1910 85 1920 100 1930 110 1940 130 1950 150 1960 190 1970 260 1980 320 1990 370 2000 380 2010 380/ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃn/
in-fuh-MAY-shuhn
/ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
in-fuhr-MAY-shuhn
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the noun information is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for information is from before 1387, in a translation by John Trevisa, translator.
information is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: French information; Latin informātiōn-, informātiō.
Nearby entriesOf multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin.
Etymons: French information; Latin informātiōn-, informātiō.
< (i) Anglo-Norman enformacioun, enformation, informacioun, informacione, Anglo-Norman and Middle French enformacion, informacion, information (French information) investigation in a criminal matter…
<(i)
Anglo-Norman enformacioun,
enformation,
informacioun,
informacione,
Anglo-Normanand
Middle French enformacion,
informacion,
information(
French information) investigation in a criminal matter made by legal officers (1274 in
Old French; compare
faire des enformationsto proceed to a judicial investigation (1323)), instruction (
c1275 in
Anglo-Norman), (non-judicial) investigation (1334), piece of information, information, data, knowledge (14th cent. or earlier), (plural) information which one obtains about someone (
c1360), action of forming something or of giving something a shape or form (
c1377), (plural) collection of knowledge about a particular subject (
c1500),
and its etymon (ii)
classical Latin informātiōn-,
informātiōformation (of an idea), conception, in
post-classical Latinalso teaching, instruction (5th cent.), formation, creation, arrangement (from 12th cent. in British sources), (in philosophy) infusion with form (frequently from mid 13th cent. in British sources)
< informāt-, past participial stem of
informāre inform v.+
‑iō ‑ion suffix1, although in both
Frenchand
Englishthe sense development is greatly influenced by association with the verb (see senses at
inform v.), and in each language the word may partly show a formation directly from the verb.
Compare
Catalan informació(1377),
Spanish información(14th cent.),
enformación(14th cent.; now archaic),
Portuguese informação(14th cent.),
Italian informazione(
c1430). Compare
informing n.I.1.a.
a1387–
The shaping of the mind or character; communication of instructive knowledge; education, training; †advice (obsolete). Now rare.
(a1387)
Fyve bookes com doun from heven for informacioun of mankynde., translation of R. Higden, Polychronicon (St. John's Cambridge MS.) (1876) vol. VI. 33
[Composed a1387]
(a1393)
A tale, which is evident Of trouthe in comendacioun, Toward thin enformacion.J. Gower, Confessio Amantis (Fairfax MS.) vii. l. 1780
[Composed a1393]
c1425
Agamenoun Hath be counseil and informacioun Of wyse Calchas made sette vp on þe londe, In-to an Ile.J. Lydgate, Troyyes Book (Augustus MS. A.iv) ii. l. 6202 (Middle English Dictionary)
?a1430
This man had a yong sone, Vn-to which he yaf informacion, Euery day.T. Hoccleve, Clothing of Virgin (Huntington MS.) l. 9 in Minor Poems (1970) ii. 290
1526
Brynge them vppe with the norter and informacion off the lorde.Bible (Tyndale) Ephesians vi. 4
1597
Their fitnesse for the publique information of life and manners.R. Hooker, Of Lawes of Ecclesiasticall Politie v. xx. 36
a1629
For their better information in the way of God, and more effectuall reclaiming of themselves.W. Hinde, Faithfull Remonstrance (1641) xxxi. 97
1663
To lead them to the light by a faithful information of their Judgments.J. Spencer, Discourse Prodigies (1665) 20
1736
Our Reason and Affections, which God has given us, for the Information of our Judgment and the Conduct of our Lives.Bishop J. Butler, Analogy of Religion ii. vii. 257
1813
The book I have read with extreme satisfaction and information.T. Jefferson, Writings (1830) vol. IV. 182
1851
The literary and scientific institution contributes to the discipline and general information of the mind.U. Gregory, Letter 6 October in F. W. Shearman, Syst. Public Instr. & Primary School Law Michigan (1852) 579
1901
The community ought to see to it that both free election and the pedagogical information of the teachers were furthered.H. Münsterberg, American Traits iii. 44
I.1.b.
c1405–1760
† As a count noun: a teaching; an instruction; a piece of advice. Obsolete.
c1405 (c1390)
Whanne Melibee hadde herd the grete skiles and resons of dame Prudence, & hire wise informacions and techynges.G. Chaucer, Melibeus (Hengwrt MS.) (2003) §900
[Composed c1390]
1450
The seid Duke of Suffolk..hath..opened to your seid grete Ennemye Charles..all Instructions and Informations geven to your seid Ambassiatours.Rolls of Parliament vol. V. 178/2
1535
I..haue tokened vp these informacions and documentes of wyszdome and vnderstandinge in this boke.Bible (Coverdale) Ecclesiasticus l. 27
1556
Paines taking, here to enriche themselues with enformations of vertue.N. Grimald in translation of Cicero, Thre Bokes of Duties Epistle sig. ¶iiijv
1602
They had for direction of their life not onely an addresse from nature, but some diuine and extraordinarie informations from the Lord.W. Temple, Antiquodlibet 25
1646
An information for Mr. William Dell... Or, an answer to his reply upon Mr. Loves contradictions.
W. Umfrevile (title)
1725
It is to this Mentes we owe the two Poems of Homer, for the Poet in all probability had never wrote them without those lights and informations he receiv'd, and the discoveries he was enabled to make, by those travels.A. Pope, translation of Homer, Odyssey vol. I. 21
1760
A most kind and loving information given by the God of love to his new-born offspring.W. Law, Spirit of Prayer i. 12
I.1.c.
c1450–
Chiefly Christian Church. Divine influence or direction; inspiration, esp. through the Holy Spirit.
c1450 (?a1422)
Crist was..First a prophete by holy informacion.J. Lydgate, Life of Our Lady (Durham MS.) iv. l. 310 (Middle English Dictionary)
[Composed ?a1422]
a1530
The holy apostles makyng this Crede by the instinccyon & informacyon of the holy goost.W. Bonde, Pylgrimage of Perfeccyon (1531) iii. f. Clxxxxix
1559
O God, which by the information of the Holy Ghost hast instructed the hearts of thy faithful.Primer in Private Prayers (1851) 30
a1633
The end and scope of all divine information and instruction in respect of the faithfull is, that they may be stablished and grow in that grace which they have received.W. Ames, Analyt. Expos. Epist. Peter (1641) sig. Ii2
1660
I dare promise you from the information of the Holy-Ghost here given us in this Text that now I have read to to you, to tell you the Only way to true Unity.R. Baxter, Catholic Unity 7
1720
The Particulars of this they ow'd wholly to the Information of that holy Spirit, by which they were enabled to give the whole Account.J. Smith, Unreasonableness Deism 203
1799
Divine information appears to be the seed, however small, from which sprung the abundant harvest of science.W. Barrow, Eight Serm. iii. 129
1809
Whatever God is pleased to communicate..must be equally certain, whether conveyed by intimate converse..or by the internal information of the Holy Spirit.G. Ewing in Eclectic Review (1812) vol. 8 1124
1859
The power of absolution is remarkably exercised by St. Paul, though absent, and depending on both report and the information of the Holy Spirit.W. F. Hook, Church Dictionary (ed. 8) 6/2
1991
A voice from heaven on occasion decided practical matters, and was considered a true source of divine information.D. W. Halivni, Peshat & Derash 160
2000
A 10th-century carved ivory book cover depicts Pope Gregory the Great receiving information from the Holy Spirit.TDR (Cambr., Massachusetts) (Nexis) 22 June
I.1.d.
1712–93
† Capacity of informing; instructiveness. Obsolete. rare.
1712
A Number of Circumstances of equal Consequence and Information.J. Henley in Spectator No. 518. ⁋7
1793
A work..of very considerable information upon the constitutional history of that kingdom.J. Wilde, Address Soc. Friends of People 126
I.2.a.
1390–
Knowledge communicated concerning some particular fact, subject, or event; that of which one is apprised or told; intelligence, news.
1390
Robert..through his wrang informatioune has gert skaith the said abbot.in J. Slater, Early Scots Texts (Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Edinb.) (1952) No. 18
(a1393)
This fieverous maladie..Makth the Jelous..To lese of love his appetit Thurgh feigned enformacion Of his ymaginacion.J. Gower, Confessio Amantis (Fairfax MS.) v. 593 (Middle English Dictionary)
[Composed a1393]
c1450
Fferthere to geve the Enformacioun, Of mustard whyte the seed is profitable.Contin. Lydgate's Secrees (Sloane MS. 2464) l. 1695
1464
I haue spoken on-to Catesby and delyuered hym your enformacion.J. Gresham in Paston Letters & Papers (2004) vol. II. 294
1555
Muche otherwyse then Zamudius information.R. Eden, translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde ii. iii. f. 63
1662
That he have sufficient information concerning the things he undertakes to write of.E. Stillingfleet, Origines Sacræ ii. ii. §1
1672
All ye information I can gain of it is that it is taken out of certain birds nests in Island and Norway.T. Henshaw, Letter 12 December in H. Oldenburg, Correspondence (1973) vol. IX. 353
1726
It was necessary to give the Reader this Information.J. Swift, Gulliver vol. II. iii. ii. 18
1786
The use of Oak-leaves in Hot-houses is a very important article of information.W. Speechly, Treat. Culture Pine Apple Preface p. ix
1852
To use a simile, the brain may be likened to a great central telegraph office, to which the wires—nerves—convey the information from all parts of the body that supplies are wanted.S. Thomson, Dictionary of Domestic Medicine 285/1
1876
I have thus spun quite a long yarn without giving you information of any value.W. C. Baker, Letter 19 December in R. Stuart et al., Stuart Letters (1961) vol. II. 1018
1895
If the underwriters wanted to know more, they ought to have asked for information.Law Times Reports vol. 73 651/1
1927
The ‘grapevine system’, whereby information travels very rapidly through the length and breadth of the underworld.F. M. Thrasher, Gang iv. xx. 416
1956
I should be glad of any personal information you may care to provide me with upon this neglected and important young poet.A. Wilson, Anglo-Saxon Attitudes i. i. 7
2003
Ray's old self would have been elated to get any shreds and pieces of information that linked Ichokela with SWAPO in Namibia.N. Rush, Mortals xxxv. 658
I.2.b.
a1527–
As a count noun: a fact or circumstance of which a person is told; a piece of news or intelligence; (in early use) an account or narrative (of something). Now rare.
a1527
An information of the parts of the world, discouered by him.R. Thorne in R. Hakluyt, Divers Voyages (1582) sig. B3v
a1533
I..haue herde of the a longe informacion.Lord Berners, translation of A. de Guevara, Golden Boke of Marcus Aurelius (1546) sig. Ll.viijv
1624
A Briefe information of the Affaires of the Palatinate.
(title)
1666
Many informations are daily brought in to the two Committees about the Fire of London.A. Marvell, Letter 27 October in Poems & Letters (1971) vol. II. 43
1724
All the Assistance I had were some Informations from an Eminent Person.J. Swift, Some Observ. Wood's Half-pence 31
1747
The informations I have lately received in your favour from Mr. Harte.Lord Chesterfield, Letter 14 April (1932) (modernized text) vol. III. 906
1785
Of metrical Romances they have treated largely, but with respect to those in prose, their informations have been scanty and imperfect.C. Reeve, Progress of Romance vol. I. Preface p.v
1845
Great changes in our notions, informations, in our relations to the Life of Schiller.T. Carlyle, Life of Schiller (ed. 2) Preface
1886
So far, I may tell you, this agrees pretty exactly with other informations that I hold.R. L. Stevenson, Kidnapped xxvii. 280
1910
Practically every detail of his story can be paralleled from these informations.English Historical Review vol. 25 127
1959
Scientific prediction, in contrast with prophecy, is based on laws and on specific reliable informations regarding the present (or past) state of affairs.M. Bunge, Metasci. Queries ii. 52
I.2.c.
1925–
As a mathematically defined quantity divorced from any concept of news or meaning (see quots.
1925,
1928,
19481,
19482);
spec.one which represents the degree of choice exercised in the selection or formation of one particular symbol, message, etc., out of a number of possible ones, and which is defined logarithmically in terms of the statistical probabilities of occurrence of the symbol or the elements of the message.
The latter sense (introduced by Shannon, quot.
19482, though foreshadowed earlier) is that used in information theory, where information is usually regarded as synonymous with entropy (
entropy n. 3b).
1925
What we have spoken of as the intrinsic accuracy of an error curve may equally be conceived as the amount of information in a single observation belonging to such a distribution.R. A. Fisher in Proceedings Cambridge Philos. Society vol. 22 709
1928
What we have done then is to take as our practical measure of information the logarithm of the number of possible symbol sequences.R. V. L. Hartley in Bell System Technical Journal vol. 7 540
1935
As a mathematical quantity information is strikingly similar to entropy in the mathematical theory of thermo-dynamics.R. A. Fisher in Journal Royal Statistical Society. vol. 98 47
1948
A reasonable measure of the amount of information associated with the curve f1(x) is: ∞−∞(log2f1(x))f1(x) dx. The quantity we here define as amount of information is the negative of the quantity usually defined as entropy in similar situations. The definition..is not the one given by R. A. Fisher for statistical problems, although it is a statistical definition.N. Wiener, Cybernetics iii. 76
1948
We shall call H = − Σpi log pi the entropy of the set of probabilities p1…, pn… The quantity H has a number of interesting properties which further substantiate it as a reasonable measure of choice or information.C. E. Shannon in Bell System Technical Journal July 394
1949
The word information, in this theory, is used in a special sense that must not be confused with its ordinary usage... In fact, two messages, one of which is heavily loaded with meaning and the other of which is pure nonsense, can be exactly equivalent, from the present viewpoint, as regards information.W. Weaver in C. E. Shannon & W. Weaver, Mathematical Theory of Communication 99
1953
Information (in the special sense required in communication theory) may be measured in bits.J. B. Carroll, Study of Language vii. 200
1956
Information is a function of the ratio of the number of possible answers before and after... This definition cannot distinguish between information of great importance and a piece of news of no great value for the person who receives it.L. Brillouin, Science & Information Theory p. x
1970
Any language with different frequency of occurrence of different symbols has less information per symbol than another (hypothetical) language with the same number of symbol values but with equal probability of occurrence of them all.O. Dopping, Computers & Data Processing i. 19
2007
This is a part of the brain responsible for filtering out some of the 400 billion bits of information we receive each second.Yoga Magazine October 10/2
I.2.d.
1937–
Separated from, or without the implication of, reference to a person informed: that which inheres in one of two or more alternative sequences, arrangements, etc., that produce different responses in something, and which is capable of being stored in, transmitted by, and communicated to inanimate things.
Information in this sense may at the same time be, or be regarded as, information in sense
I.2c.
1937
The whole difficulty resides in the amount of definition in the picture, or, as the engineers put it, the amount of information to be transmitted in a given time.
1944
Information is conveyed to the machine by means of punched cards.Journal of Scientific Instruments vol. 21 133/2
1953
We may say that all ‘information’ is conveyed in the nervous system in the form of coded arrangements of nerve impulses.J. C. Eccles, Neurophysiol. Basis Mind i. 1
1953
In a long molecule many different permutations are possible, and it therefore seems likely that the precise sequence of the bases is the code which carries the genetical information.J. D. Watson & F. H. C. Crick in Nature 30 May 965/2
1961
The colour information is added to a conventional black-and-white signal on an amplitude and phase modulated sub-carrier located in the vision band.New Scientist 26 January 201/2
1971
Genetically transmitted information precisely determines the amino acid composition of all proteins synthesized by each cell.R. M. Dowben, Cell Biology v. 97
2002
This flawed metaphor leads to the equally flawed conclusion that the genome explains the complexity of an organism in terms of the amount of information in its DNA code.T. Pratchett et al., Science of Discworld II xviii. 185
I.2.e.
1970–
Contrasted with data: that which is obtained by the processing of data.
1970
Data is sometimes contrasted with information, which is said to result from the processing of data.A. Chandor et al., Dictionary of Computers 99
1977
This admixture of information and data is cemented by an experience accumulated over the years and a dash of intuition into a ‘make-do’ diagnosis.Annals of Internal Medicine vol. 86 640/2
2001
The process already has a name—datamining... This means ‘the extraction of implicit, previously unknown and potentially useful information from data’.R. W. Cahn, Coming of Materials Science xiii. 498
2007
A common distinction within this domain is that data is raw numbers and facts, information is processed data.Information & Management vol. 44 600/1
I.3.a.
a1393–
The action or fact of imparting the knowledge of a fact or occurrence; communication of news; notification. Now chiefly with modifying word, possessive, or of-phrase.
(a1393)
This nyht for enformacion Ye schul have an avision.J. Gower, Confessio Amantis (Fairfax MS.) vi. l. 1927
[Composed a1393]
?a1425 (c1400)
I haue vndirstonden be informacioun þat his lampe quencheth.Mandeville's Travels (Titus MS. C.xvi) (1919) 39
[Composed c1400]
a1535
This haue I by credible informacion learned.T. More, History Richard III in Workes (1557) 37/2
1555
The autoure..hath seene a greate parte him selfe..and gathered the residewe partly by information.R. Eden in translation of Peter Martyr of Angleria, Decades of Newe Worlde Preface sig. aij
1601
Wee beseech your Lordships giue vs leaue to referre you for your information in that point to the Iournall which herewithall we send.Lord Mountjoy, Letter 7 November in F. Moryson, Itinerary (1617) ii.ii. ii. 152
1694
By way of Information or Notification of the Thing to Him.R. South, 12 Sermons vol. II. 113
1724
You desir'd no Information, but upon his Death .J. Henley in J. Henley et al., translation of Pliny the Younger, Epistles & Panegyrick vol. I. vi. xvi. 287
1795
Difficulties always attend imperfect information.W. Paley, View of Evidences of Christianity (ed. 3) vol. II. ii. vi. 194
1804
Her Emissaries are at the secret spywork of observation and information.J. Larwood, No Gun Boats 23
1877
For the information of members, we publish entire the By-laws.Spirit of Times 24 November 448/1
1930
The talking news-reel is a new vehicle of public information and entertainment.
1954
Qualifications or disclosures believed necessary for the information of the reader or for the protection of the accountant.E. L. Kohler, Auditing (ed. 2) xvi. 587
2001
For your information, the following list indicates the major religious observances in the Fall Term.S. Kane, Virtual Freedom xv. 169
I.3.b.
1910–
Originally and chiefly
U.S.A telephone service which provides information such as telephone numbers, the time, etc., often free of charge. Cf.
information operator n.1910
One side of a conversation which sounds like this. ‘Information.’ ‘Eight-thirty.’Sunday Review (Decatur, Illinois) 11 December 9/1
1941
Information, please. Hello, information? Have you any freight trains going east this afternoon?P. Sturges, Sullivan's Trav. in Five Screenplays (1986) 613
1977
Getting Honolulu information, I got a number for Wiley Hampson.Rolling Stone 30 June 80/3
2007
He then called Information and was connected to the front desk at the Mark Twain .M. Connelly in New York Times Magazine 21 January 30/1
II.4.
1387–1660
† The action of imparting accusatory or incriminatory intelligence against a person; an instance of this, a charge, an accusation. Obsolete.
Now only as implied in senses
II.5and
II.6.
1387–8
Thanne were such proclamacions made..bi suggestion & informacion of suche that wolde nought her falsnesse had be knowen to owre lige Lorde.Petition London Mercers in Rotuli Parliamentorum (1767–77) vol. III. 225/2 (Middle English Dictionary)
1432
The said Erle..maye not..lette malicious and untrewe men to make informacions of his persone.in Paston Letters (1904) vol. II. 38
1480
A grete part of the peple..weren in grete errour and grutchyng ayenst the kyng thurgh Informacyon of lyes and fals lesyng that this Serle has made.W. Caxton, Chronicles of England (1482) ccxliii. 288
1535
Besydis thys condempnacion of me by hearsaye or enformacion of hys faccyon.G. Joye, Apolgye Tindale sig. C.viii
1548
An informacion and Peticion agaynst the oppressours of the pore Commons of this Realme.
R. Crowley (title)
1565
Herevppon hee called Dumnorix aside..laying before him what informations were put vp against him.A. Golding, translation of Caesar, Martiall Exploytes in Gallia i. f. 16
1623
In seeking tales and Informations Against this man.W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher, Henry VIII v. iii. 144
1660
Ordered, That Mr. Attorney General do cause effectual proceedings to be forthwith had, by way of indictment or information, against John Milton, in respect of the two books by him written.Commons Journal in J. Milton, Orig. Papers (1859) 57
II.5.a.
1467–
English Law. Originally: a complaint or charge presented to a court or magistrate in order to institute (routine) criminal proceedings without formal indictment (now
historical). Later: a statement in which a magistrate is informed that a named person has committed a stated offence and a summons or warrant is requested.
to lay an information: to present such a charge or statement (as a common informer: see
informer n. 2), in order to establish a claim to a penalty payment.
The original object of this procedure was to dispense with the previous finding of a grand jury. For a detailed account of the original procedure and the various courts in which it applied, see Tomlin's Law Dict. (1835) at cited word.
Also used in many Commonwealth countries and other countries formerly under British colonial rule. U.S. Law: an accusation or criminal charge brought before a judge by a district attorney without a grand jury indictment.
1467–8
That..every such infourmer..be admitted to sue for the kyng and hym self actions..uppon the same, by enformation to be yeven or made in eny of the seid courtes.Rolls of Parliament: Edward IV (Electronic edition) Parl. June 1467 §41. m. 39
1482
If the Kyngs Attourney Generall of his said Duchie..put a Bill into eny of the Kyngs Courtes by wey of enformation..the Justices of the same Court..shall have power .Rolls of Parliament vol. VI. 208/1
1523
The person..that will first sue for the same, by originall of dette, bill, plainte, or informacion, in any of the kynges courtes.Act 14 & 15 Henry VIII c. 1
1588–9
Suche officer of recorde as have in respecte of their offices heretofore laufullye used to exhibite informacions or sue upon penall lawes.Act 31 Elizabeth I c. 5 §3
1629
This matter is brought in this court by way of Information, where it ought to be by way of Indictment.in W. Cobbett, State Trials (1809) vol. III. 300
1647
They were also vexed with informations in inferiour Courts; where they were sentenced, and fined for matters done in Parliament.T. May, History of Parliament i. i. 13
1733
Orders, Warrants, Informations, and variety of Precedents for Justices of the Peace.
J. Harvey (title)
1769
The objects of the other species of informations, filed by the master of the crown-office upon the complaint or relation of a private subject, are any gross and notorious misdemesnors, riots, batteries, libels, and other immoralities of an atrocious kind.W. Blackstone, Commentaries on Laws of England (1809) vol. IV. xxiii. §3 309
1838
The gentleman being accommodated with threepennyworth of brandy to restore her, lays an information next day, and pockets half the penalty.C. Dickens, Oliver Twist vol. III. li. 311
1875
Prosecutions by information at the quarter sessions can only be instituted in cases where, by a penal statute, an informer is allowed to take this course to recover the penalty; but this proceeding is generally disused.T. S. Pritchard, Pract. Quarter Sessions iv. §4. 173
1918
Because informations, unlike indictments, are not the work of a grand jury they may be amended, with the court's consent, by the public officer.Michigan Law Review vol. 16 452
1951
There will be no duel, if I have to lay an information against them both to prevent it.G. Heyer, Quiet Gentleman xiv. 203
1978
All police proceedings begin with an information being duly entered.Journal Afr. Law vol. 22 52
1997
Any Environmental Health Officer laying an information would be well advised to record the date and time that the information was handed to the office.T. Moran, Legal Competence in Environm. Health ix. 259
II.5.b.
1624–
English Law. A complaint presented by the Crown in respect of a civil claim, in the form of a statement of the facts by the Attorney General, either
ex officioor on the report of a private individual. See quot.
1900. Now
historical.
English information: a proceeding instituting an equity suit by the Crown; originally in the court of Exchequer, later in the Queen's Bench Division.
1624
An Act to admit the Subject to plead the General Issue in Informations of Intrusion brought on the Kings behalf, and to retain his possession till Trial.Act 21 James I c. 14 (title)
1689
Here is an Information brought by Mr. Attorny General on behalf of the King.Proceedings & Tryal Archbishop of Canterbury & Right Rev. Fathers 93
1768
An information on behalf of the crown, filed in the exchequer by the king's attorney general.W. Blackstone, Commentaries on Laws of England (1809) vol. III. xvii. 261
1819
The Prince of Wales may file an English information of intrusion by his Attorney General, for lands parcel of the Dutchy of Cornwall.J. Wightwick, Rep. Court of Exchequer 1810–11 167 (margin)
1838
An information of intrusion, to recover possession of certain encroachments on the wastes of the Crown.R. Meeson & W. N. Welsby, Rep. Cases Exchequer vol. II. 23
1888
By an exercise of the Royal prerogative an ancient method of procedure, known as an English information, is adopted for the settlement of these foreshore disputes between the Crown and its subjects.Daily News 4 December 5/2
1900
Civil informations are or have been laid: †(a) in Chancery, on behalf of the crown or government, or of those of whom the crown has custody..(obs.); (b) in the Exchequer, under the equitable jurisdiction of the court (called English information from its resemblance to a complaint in equity formerly called an English bill); now transferred to the Queen's Bench Division; (c) at Common Law, for Intrusion or trespass on crown lands; Purpresture or encroachment on crown or public lands; in personam, for money due to the crown; in rem, for goods, derelicts, etc. belonging to the crown, and for default in payment of excise duties.New English Dictionary (OED first edition) at Information sb. 5b
1954
The informations against enclosers laid in the Court of Exchequer.M. Beresford, Lost Villages of England v. 143
2000
Latin Informations and English Informations were abolished by the Crown Proceedings Act 1947.R. Smith, Dictionary Law 140
II.5.c.
1681–
Scots Law.
† (a) In court actions: a written argument ordered either by a Lord Ordinary in the Court of Session when reporting a case to the Inner House, or by the Court of Justiciary when difficult questions of law or relevancy arise (obsolete); (b) (in criminal cases) a formal written accusation or statement of a charge, upon which a person may be committed to trial (cf. sense II.5a) (now rare).1681
Either Party give their Informations to the Lords containing the deduction and favour of the Cause.J. Dalrymple, Modus Litigandi 18
1701
Enacts and ordains that all Informers shall signe their Informations.Scottish Acts William III c. 6
1752
The Clerk..reads the Prosecutor's Information, with the Information on or Answers thereto for the Pannel, off the Book.J. Louthian, Form of Process (ed. 2) 102
a1768
No person can be imprisoned, in order to trial for any crime, without a warrant in writing, expressing the cause, and proceeding upon a signed information.J. Erskine, Institute of Law of Scotland (1773) vol. II. iv. iv. 734
1838
In the Court of Justiciary..the Court is in use to order Informations, on which the points raised are argued fully in writing.W. Bell, Dictionary Law of Scotland 493
1904
In the case of commitment for trial, three things, as a rule, are essential:—1. A signed information which need not be formal.A. M. Anderson, Criminal Law of Scotland (ed. 2) 240
II.5.d.
1690–
information quo warranto (also information in the nature of quo warranto and variants). The step by which proceedings are begun to challenge an alleged right to hold an office or to exercise a power.
In English law, superseding the royal writ of quo warranto: see
quo warranto n.1690
Such respective City, Town, Burg or Cinque-port, whereof, or wherein he was a Member, at, or before the time of making such Surrender,..or prosecuting such Scire facias, Quo Warranto, or Information in nature of Quo Warranto.R. L'Estrange, Queries conc. Election Members Ensuing Parliament 6
a1726
He admitted, that if an Information Quo warranto were brought for several distinct Franchises, then there might be different Judgments.G. Gilbert, Cases in Law & Equity (1760) 157
1765
An information in the nature of a writ of quo warranto, to enquire by what warrant the members now exercise their corporate power.W. Blackstone, Commentaries on Laws of England (1809) vol. I. xviii. 485
1827
An information, as it is called, quo warranto was accordingly brought into the Court of King's Bench against the corporation.H. Hallam, Constitutional History of England vol. II. xii. 323
1877
It has been settled in England for more than one hundred years, and is perfectly well settled in this country , that information in the nature of quo warranto is in its nature a civil proceeding.Electoral Count 1877 (U.S. Electoral Comm.) 272
1926
Either proceedings by an information quo warranto would lie or they would not. The test was whether the office was of a public nature.
1946
Beales's supporters applied for a quo warranto information.Cambridge Hist. Journal vol. 8 157
2001
The Rules of the High Court of Australia and of the Supreme Court of Western Australia preserve informations in the nature of quo warranto.E. Campbell & H. P. Lee, Australian Judiciary iv. 90
II.6.
1568–
Used to denote a proceeding similar to that of sense
II.5in other systems of judicature, esp. that of ancient Rome.
1568
Whensoeuer any denunciation (as they terme it) or rather information is geuen against any person..the Inquisitors accustomably vse this kind of practise.V. Skinner, translation of R. González de Montes, Discouery Inquisition of Spayne f. 1
1603
The suppliant, complainant or suter, speaketh without aduocate or atturney, and is forced to answer presently to the information of his aduersarie if he be present.R. Johnson, translation of G. Botero, Travellers Breviat 57
1681
Next day there were Informations made on both sides.Pres. State Protestants France ii. 15
1770
The information was first laid under the archonship of Chœrondas.J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne, translation of Plutarch, Lives (1879) vol. II. 909/2
1774
Informations are arguments urged before the Judge by the Advocates on both sides, after the Pleadings and Proofs are concluded.S. Hallifax, Anal. Roman Law (1795) 125
1781
The terrors of a malicious information, which might select them as the accomplices..of an imaginary crime, perpetually hung over the heads of the principal citizens of the Roman world.E. Gibbon, Decline & Fall vol. II. xvii. 60
1871
Then follow informations and convictions for treason.B. Jowett in translation of Plato, Dialogues vol. II. 97
1938
A form of one of these informations is given by Paulus.W. L. Burdick, Princ. Roman Law & Relation to Modern Law (2004) xxiii. 698 (note)
1992
While we know that the Roman system of criminal prosecution was a private process, with individual citizens laying informations, how far was this true of street crime?O. F. Robinson, Ancient Rome xii. 195
III.7.
1630–
The giving of form (
form n. I.4a) or essential character to something; the action of imbuing with a particular quality; animation (esp. of the body by the soul). Also: an instance of this. Cf.
inform v. III.8. Now
rare.
1630
The soule or spirit doth giue information, or operation to the whole body, and euery part thereof.J. Sharpe, Triall Protestant Priuate Spirit x. 373
1646
There was a seminality and contracted Adam in the rib, which by the information of a soule, was individuated into Eve.Sir T. Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica vi. i. 274
1669
That..no information of pride may enter into us to make us believe that we are better than other men.Earl of Clarendon, Essays in Tracts (1727) 117
1701
To be always in a separate state would be violent and unnatural to spirits made apt for the information of bodies, to which therefore they would naturally require to be united.J. Norris, Essay Ideal World vol. I. ii. 72
1748
I believe I could, with a little pains, have given them life and soul, and to every feature of their faces sparkling information.S. Richardson, Clarissa vol. VI. xxix. 97
1870
There does not seem any limit to these new informations of the same Spirit that made the elements at first.R. W. Emerson, Society & Solitude 144
2002
To ask about how I am made, and so to ponder the information of the soul by that which lies beyond its grasp.S. F. Parsons, Cambridge Companion Feminist Theology ii. xii. 217
P.1.
1993–
more information than (a person) needs (also wants) (to know) (and variants): used to express (humorous) disgust or disapproval in response to a disclosure of an excessively personal or graphic nature.
1993
She was..regaling 323 strangers in the audience with the difference between C-section and normal delivery. The bemused Hall turned to the camera and confided, ‘That's more information than I needed.’Daily Variety 14 May a4/1
1993
Vincent. I'm gonna take a piss. Mia. That was a little bit more information than I needed to know, but go right ahead.Q. Tarantino & R. Avary, Pulp Fiction (film script, last draft) (OED Archive) 67
2001
This probably is more information than you want, or need, to know, but Nashville forward..likes to be naked in his hotel room on road trips.St. Petersburg (Florida) Times (Nexis) 18 February 5c
2015
‘He's got a serious case of the squirts!’ ‘Whoa, whoa! That's more information than I need, but thanks for the visual.’S. Nobel, Forbidden Entry vi. 83
P.2.
1996–
colloquial.
too much information: used to express (humorous) disgust or disapproval in response to a disclosure of an excessively personal or graphic nature; frequently with capital initials; cf.
TMI n.1996
Too Much Information!..‘I am a vegetarian, so I use Spam only as a form of contraception,’ former Monty Python lunatic Eric Idle said recently.Winnipeg Free Press 22 September b9/5 (heading)
2005
‘I would drag my balls over ten miles of broken glass to hear Drea piss in a tin cup over a telephone,’ he says, taking the concept of ‘too much information’ to previously uncharted terrain.
2015
I left something for you. A photo... With a note on the back... It's gone... Probably for the best. Too Much Information, as you lot say.J. Nelson, I'll give you Sun (U.K. edition) 231
/ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃn/
in-fuh-MAY-shuhn
U.S. English/ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/
in-fuhr-MAY-shuhn
Variant forms(a)
Middle English
infformacion, infformacyoun, informacyoun, informatioune, jnformacion, ynformacion
Middle English–1500s
informacyon
Middle English–1600s
informacion, informacioun
Middle English–
information
1600s
infformation
(b) Scottish
pre-1700
informacion, informacioun, informacioune, informatione, informatioun, informatioune, informatyoun
pre-1700; 1700s–
information
Middle English
enfarmacion, enformacioun, enfromacion
Middle English–1500s
enformacion, enformacyon
Middle English–1600s
enformation
1500s
enformacione
information is one of the 500 most common words in modern written English. It is similar in frequency to words like control, line, name, patient, and require.
It typically occurs about 300 times per million words in modern written English.
information is in frequency band 7, which contains words occurring between 100 and 1,000 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands
Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.
Frequency of information, n., 1750–2010* Occurrences per million words in written English
Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.
The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.
For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.
Frequency of information, n., 2017–2024* Occurrences per million words in written English
Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.
Wrong or misleading information.
Of, relating to, or involving information…
An absence or lack of information.
An office or department which provides…
A room provided as a place where information may…
A person whose job is to provide information.
A deficiency or disparity in access to information.
A (temporary) booth where information is provided…
Carrying or conveying no information; (also)…
A telephone operator who provides information…
Information. Cf. info-, comb. form.
A rapid increase in the amount of information…
a. (In game theory) the property of certain games…
a. (In game theory) the property of certain games…
The protection of information, now esp…
The quantitative theory of the coding and…
The processing of information (by a machine or by…
The tracing and recovery of information using…
The branch of technology concerned with the…
A person trained in providing an information…
The dissemination of deliberately false…
The branch of knowledge concerned with the…
Information about information, esp. information…
a. adj. Containing, providing, or possessing a…
The era in which the retrieval, management, and…
The increase in the availability of information…
Exposure to or provision of too much information…
A cellular particle consisting of messenger RNA…
A person who works in the field of information…
A war during which the reporting or manipulation…
Information which is widely held to be true but…
With singular or (rarely) plural agreement. The…
Relating to informatics or information…
A person who is skilled in or knowledgeable about…
The manner in which information is stored…
A performance intended to be both educational and…
a. n. (With the and plural agreement) people who…
Computerized geographical information; the useful…
A situation in which there are limitations on the…
The strategic use of information or information…
A route or network for the high-speed transfer of…
The adoption of information technology…
Apathy, indifference, or mental exhaustion…
C.1.b.i.
With participles and verbal nouns.
An office or department which provides…
A room provided as a place where information may…
A person whose job is to provide information.
A deficiency or disparity in access to information.
A (temporary) booth where information is provided…
A telephone operator who provides information…
A rapid increase in the amount of information…
The protection of information, now esp…
The processing of information (by a machine or by…
The tracing and recovery of information using…
a. adj. Containing, providing, or possessing a…
The era in which the retrieval, management, and…
The increase in the availability of information…
Exposure to or provision of too much information…
A person who works in the field of information…
A war during which the reporting or manipulation…
The manner in which information is stored…
a. n. (With the and plural agreement) people who…
A situation in which there are limitations on the…
The strategic use of information or information…
A route or network for the high-speed transfer of…
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