informant etymology

Etymology:

Informant derives from the Latin word "informare," meaning "to give form or shape to," or "to inform."

Meaning:

An informant is:

  • A person who provides information, especially confidential or secret information.
  • A person who serves as a source of data in a study or research project.
  • In the context of linguistics, an individual who provides native language data for analysis.

Origin:

The term "informant" has been used in various contexts throughout history:

  • Early 18th century: Used to refer to individuals who provided intelligence or information to governments or officials.
  • Late 19th century: Adopted in anthropology and linguistics to denote individuals who provided firsthand accounts of their culture and language.
  • 20th century: Used in social science research to refer to individuals who provide information about their experiences, beliefs, and behaviors.

Additional Information:

  • The plural form of informant is "informants."
  • The term "informant" may also be used in a legal context to refer to individuals who provide information about crimes or other unlawful activities.
  • In some contexts, the term "confidential informant" is used to emphasize the secrecy or sensitivity of the information provided.

informant relate terms

  • inform

    Etymology inform v Middle English enformen from Anglo French enformer from Latin

  • form

    Etymology The word form originates from the Latin word forma which means shape or

  • informed

    Informed Etymology Informed etymology is a rigorous approach to determining the origin an

  • informer

    Etymology Inform verb From Middle English enformen enforme enfourmen from Old F

  • inform

    Etymology inform v Middle English enformen from Anglo French enformer from Latin

  • source

    Etymology The word source derives from the Old French word source which in turn come

  • discover

    Etymology The study of the origin and development of words Meaning Etymology is derive

  • course

    Etymology The word course comes from the Old French word curs which means a running

  • speaker

    Etymology The word speaker derives from the Middle English word speken meaning to

  • deponent

    Etymology Latin deponens present participle of deponere to lay down lay aside Mean

  • synagogue

    Etymology Latin synagōga Greek συναγωγή sunagōgē Meaning A Jewish h

  • mask

    Etymology Middle English maske from Old French masque from Italian maschera from Ar

  • hamper

    Etymology Middle English hamper from Old French hanaper from Medieval Latin hanaperu