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Informants: meaning, definitions and examples

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informants

 

[ ˌɪnˈfɔːrmənts ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

intelligence gathering

People who provide information or intelligence, especially to the authorities or researchers. They may be formally trained or simply observers in a particular field.

Synonyms

informers, sources, spies

Examples of usage

  • Police relied on informants to gather information about the criminal organization.
  • The journalist's informants within the government provided valuable insights for the article.
Context #2 | Noun

linguistics

Speakers of a language who are consulted by researchers for information about that language's grammar, vocabulary, or usage.

Synonyms

consultants, language experts

Examples of usage

  • Linguists often work with native informants to understand the nuances of a language.
  • The researcher interviewed several informants to gather data about the dialect.

Translations

Translations of the word "informants" in other languages:

🇵🇹 informantes

🇮🇳 सूचनाकर्ता

🇩🇪 Informanten

🇮🇩 informan

🇺🇦 інформанти

🇵🇱 informatorzy

🇯🇵 インフォーマント

🇫🇷 informateurs

🇪🇸 informantes

🇹🇷 bilgi verenler

🇰🇷 정보 제공자

🇸🇦 المخبرون

🇨🇿 informátoři

🇸🇰 informátori

🇨🇳 线人

🇸🇮 informatorji

🇮🇸 upplýsingar

🇰🇿 ақпарат берушілер

🇬🇪 ინფორმანტები

🇦🇿 məlumat verənlər

🇲🇽 informantes

Etymology

The word 'informant' originated in the late 18th century, derived from the Latin 'informare' meaning 'to give form to'. Originally used in legal contexts to refer to someone who provides information to the authorities, its usage has expanded to fields like intelligence gathering and linguistics.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,573, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.