Reading Theme:
Informant: Definition, Usage & Key Distinctions (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：source of information (informant)
informant
/ɪnˈfɔːmənt/
n.
A person who provides information to someone else, such as a journalist, a researcher, or simply someone who knows the facts.
source of information
➕
/sɔːrs əv ˌɪnfəˈmeɪʃən/
n.
A person who supplies facts or knowledge to another party, such as a researcher, reporter, or anyone seeking details.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Latin 'informare' (to give form to, instruct) + '-ant' (agent suffix).
💡 Mnemonic
An INFORMANT IN-FORMS you. They are the 'ant' who brings information back to the nest.
📖 Example
The journalist interviewed a local resident who served as her key informant about the community's history.
A local resident provided the journalist with crucial background information on the community's past.
🔗 Collocations
key informant – A primary and highly important source of information.
reliable informant – A trustworthy person who provides accurate information.
local informant – A source of information who is from and knows the area well.
🔄 Synonyms
source (n.) – A person, book, etc., that supplies information.
contact (n.) – A person who can provide information or access in a particular field.
interviewee (n.) – A person who is being interviewed, especially for research or media.
🚫 Antonyms
withholder (n.) – A person who keeps information back or refuses to give it.
🌱 Derivatives
inform (v.) – To give someone facts or information.
information (n.) – Facts provided or learned about something or someone.
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'informare', meaning 'to shape' or 'to instruct'. Its legal and investigative usage grew in the 19th century, often associated with confidential sources providing information to authorities.
Meaning 2：confidential source (informant)
informant
/ɪnˈfɔːmənt/
n.
A person who secretly provides information to the police or to researchers, often about activities that are not public knowledge.
confidential source
➕
/ˌkɒnfɪˈdenʃəl sɔːs/
n.
A person who secretly gives information, especially to law enforcement or researchers, about private or illicit activities.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The police were able to solve the case thanks to a confidential informant within the organization.
A secret source inside the company provided the police with the critical evidence needed to crack the case.
🔗 Collocations
confidential informant – A secret source whose identity is protected.
police informant – A person who gives information about crime to the police.
protect an informant – To keep a source's identity secret for their safety.
🔄 Synonyms
tipster (n.) – A person who gives a tip or piece of confidential information, especially about crime.
whistleblower (n.) – A person who informs on someone engaged in illicit activity within an organization.
mole (n.) – A spy who becomes a member of an organization to betray its secrets.
🚫 Antonyms
accomplice (n.) – A partner in a crime or wrongdoing, not someone who reveals it.
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