 1 definition found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Infect \In*fect"\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Infected}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Infecting}.] [L. infectus, p. p. of inficere to put or
dip into, to stain, infect; pref. in- in + facere to make;
cf. F. infecter. See {Fact}.]
1. To taint with morbid matter or any pestilential or noxious
substance or effluvium by which disease is produced; as,
to infect a lancet; to infect an apartment.
2. To affect with infectious disease; to communicate
infection to; as, infected with the plague.
Them that were left alive being infected with this
disease. --Sir T.
North.
3. To communicate to or affect with, as qualities or
emotions, esp. bad qualities; to corrupt; to contaminate;
to taint by the communication of anything noxious or
pernicious. --Cowper.
Infected Ston's daughters with like heat. --Milton.
4. (Law) To contaminate with illegality or to expose to
penalty.
Syn: To poison; vitiate; pollute; defile.
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