infiltrate

infiltrate Definition

in·fil·trate (in fil′trāt, in′fil trāt′)

intransitive verb, transitive verb -·trat′ed, -·trat′·ing

to pass, or cause (a fluid, cell, etc.) to pass, through small gaps or openings; filter
to pass through, as in filtering
to pass, or cause (individual troops) to pass, through weak places in the enemy's lines in order to attack the enemy's flanks or rear
to penetrate, or cause to penetrate (a region or group) gradually or stealthily, so as to attack or to seize control from within

Etymology: in- + filtrate

noun

something that infiltrates

infiltrate Related Forms

in′·fil·tra′·tion noun in′·fil·tra′·tive adjective in′·fil′·tra′·tor noun

infiltrate Synonyms

permeate, pervade, penetrate, invade; see filter 1, insinuate 2, join 2.

infiltrate Usage Examples

Object

lymphocyte: On the other hand, an absence of infiltrating lymphocytes was observed in cultures without IL-2.
gang: Damien must infiltrate the gang to either diffuse or retrieve the bomb.
carcinoma: In 17 cases ( 12 % ) the dysplasia lesion recurred, in 11 ( 7.8 % ) an infiltrating carcinoma arose.
rank: To the end, he is an introvert who has infiltrated the ranks of extroverts.
ring: Hypothetically speaking, I might just be an undercover DEA agent who happens to infiltrate the ring and fall in love with Will.
organization: In 1875 used an agent, James McParland, to infiltrate the secret organization, the Molly Maguires.

Converse of object

Subject

Preposition: into

territory: To prevent these attacks, you must infiltrate deep into hostile territory and aggressively collect critical intelligence, closer than ever to enemy soldiers.

Adjective modifier

pulmonary: Patients with a recent history of pulmonary infiltrates or pneumonia may be at higher risk.
inflammatory: The second major histological feature is the inflammatory infiltrate.
bilateral: Investigations Children presenting with an acute pulmonary bleed will have a reduced hemoglobin and widespread bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray.

Modifying Another Word

heavily: The paper was once great but has long been heavily infiltrated by the SIS and the CIA.
successfully: The mafias have not yet, as they have in some EC countries, successfully infiltrated mainstream politics.
easily: Some tried to organize trade unions that were easily infiltrated by the police.
even: Could the slithering serpent have infiltrated even some places of worship today?
already: My new allies are expert scouts and spies, and may have already infiltrated your army.
also: The Russians also infiltrated Spanish units on Lake Ilmen.

Preposition: of

cell: Histological examination reveals an infiltrate of chronic inflammatory cells, which are restricted to the superficial layers of the colonic mucosa.

Preposition: by

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