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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Common informer

Informer \In*form"er\, n. [From Inform, v.]

  1. One who informs, animates, or inspires. [Obs.]
    --Thomson.

    Nature, informer of the poet's art.
    --Pope.

  2. One who informs, or imparts knowledge or news.

  3. (Law) One who informs a magistrate of violations of law; one who informs against another for violation of some law or penal statute.

    Common informer (Law), one who habitually gives information of the violation of penal statutes, with a view to a prosecution therefor.
    --Bouvier.
    --Wharton.

Wikipedia
Common informer
  1. redirect Common Informers Act 1951

Category:Legal history

Usage examples of "common informer".

Rollins: Would you not characterize your mysterious communicant as someone who 'had it in' for the accused at worst -- or a common informer or stool pigeon at best?