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.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913