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Inform vs Speak - What's the difference?

inform | speak | Related terms |

Inform is a related term of speak.


In lang=en terms the difference between inform and speak

is that inform is to give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc) while speak is to produce a sound; to sound.

As verbs the difference between inform and speak

is that inform is (archaic|transitive) to instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge) while speak is to communicate with one's voice, to say words out loud.

As an adjective inform

is without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.

As a noun speak is

language, jargon, or terminology used uniquely in a particular environment or group or speak can be (dated) a low class bar, a speakeasy.

inform

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) informen, enformen, from (etyl) enformer, .

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete)

Verb

(en verb)
  • (archaic) To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
  • To communicate knowledge to.
  • * Spenser
  • For he would learn their business secretly, / And then inform his master hastily.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I am informed thoroughly of the cause.
  • To impart information or knowledge.
  • To act as an informer; denounce.
  • To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author=(Gary Younge)
  • , volume=188, issue=26, page=18, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution , passage=WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets.}}
  • * Dryden
  • Let others better mould the running mass / Of metals, and inform the breathing brass.
  • * Prior
  • Breath informs this fleeting frame.
  • (obsolete) To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
  • (obsolete) To direct, guide.
  • (archaic) To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
  • * Shakespeare
  • It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes.
    Synonyms
    * acquaint, apprise, notify * (act as informer) dob, name names, peach, snitch
    Derived terms
    * informant * information * informative * informatory * informed * informer * misinform * uninformed

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) (lena) informis

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
  • (Cotton)

    Anagrams

    *

    speak

    English

    (wikipedia speak)

    Verb

  • To communicate with one's voice, to say words out loud.
  • * , chapter=13
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes. He said that if you wanted to do anything for them, you must rule them, not pamper them.}}
  • To have a conversation.
  • (by extension) To communicate or converse by some means other than orally, such as writing or facial expressions.
  • To deliver a message to a group; to deliver a speech.
  • To be able to communicate in a language.
  • To utter.
  • * 1611 , (Authorized King James Version) (Bible translation), 9:5:
  • And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
  • To communicate (some fact or feeling); to bespeak, to indicate.
  • * 1851 , (Herman Melville), (Moby-Dick) :
  • There he sat, his very indifference speaking a nature in which there lurked no civilized hypocrisies and bland deceits.
  • (informal, transitive, sometimes, humorous) To understand (as though it were a language).
  • To produce a sound; to sound.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Make all our trumpets speak .
  • (archaic) To address; to accost; to speak to.
  • * Bible, Ecclus. xiii. 6
  • [He will] thee in hope; he will speak thee fair.
  • * Emerson
  • Each village senior paused to scan / And speak the lovely caravan.

    Synonyms

    * articulate, talk, verbalize

    Derived terms

    * public speaking * speakable * speaker * speakeasy * re-speak * unspeakable phrasal verbs * speak down * speak for * speak out * speak to * speak up idioms * actions speak louder than words * on speaking terms * so to speak * speak for oneself * speak highly of * speak ill of * speak in tongues * speak of the devil * speak one's mind * speak softly and carry a big stick * speak someone's language * speak volumes * speak with one voice * spoken for

    Noun

    (-)
  • language, jargon, or terminology used uniquely in a particular environment or group.
  • Corporate speak; IT speak

    Derived terms

    * artspeak * cyberspeak * doublespeak * lawyerspeak * leetspeak * medspeak * Newspeak * weather speak

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (dated) a low class bar, a speakeasy.
  • Statistics

    *

    Anagrams

    * spake * peaks 1000 English basic words English irregular verbs ----