infect

in·fect

Use infect in a sentence

verb

The definition of infect is to contaminate someone or something with a disease or with some other negative element.

An example of infect is when you give someone a cold.
An example of infect is when you have a very bad attitude which spreads to others who you know.

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"infect." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/infect>.

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infect. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/infect

infect

to contaminate with a disease-producing organism or matter
to cause to become diseased by bringing into contact with such an organism or matter
to invade (an individual, organ, tissue, etc.): said of a pathogenic organism
to affect or imbue with feelings, beliefs, etc. that are regarded as negative or harmful
Comput. to invade for the purpose of disrupting the functioning of: said of a virus, worm, etc.

Origin of infect

Middle English infecten from Middle French infecter from Classical Latin infectus, past participle of inficere, to put or dip into, tinge, stain from in-, in + facere, to do

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"infect." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/infect>.

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infect. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/infect

infect

transitive verb

in·fect·ed, in·fect·ing, in·fects

To invade and proliferate in, often resulting in disease. Used of microorganisms or other infectious agents: people who were infected with salmonella.
To cause the invasion of (a cell, for example) with a microorganism or other infectious agent: The researchers infected the bacteria with a virus.
To transmit a pathogen or disease to: The sick child infected the entire class.
To contaminate with a pathogenic microorganism or agent: Cholera infected the water supply.
Computers To become transmitted to and copied on (a hard drive, for example). Used of a virus or other harmful software.
To affect by transmission or be communicated to. Used of an idea, emotion, or attitude: “His fear infected me, and … I followed as fast as I could” ( W.H. Hudson )

Origin of infect

Middle English infecten to afflict with disease from Latin īnficere īnfect- to stain, infect ( in- in ; see in- ². ) ( facere to do ; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.)

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"infect." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/infect>.

APA Style

infect. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/infect

Verb

(third-person singular simple present infects, present participle infecting, simple past and past participle infected)

To bring into contact with a substance that causes illness (a pathogen).
To make somebody enthusiastic about one's own passion.
Her passion for dancing has infected me.

Related terms

infectious

Adjective

(not comparable)

(obsolete) Infected.

Origin

From Middle French infect, from Latin infectus, perfect passive participle of inficiō (“dye, taint”).

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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Link to this page

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MLA Style

"infect." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/infect>.

APA Style

infect. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/infect

infect - Medical Definition

v.

To invade and proliferate in, often resulting in disease. Used of microorganisms or other infectious agents: people who were infected with salmonella.
To cause the invasion, as of a cell, with a microorganism or other infectious agent: The researchers infected the bacteria with a virus.
To transmit a pathogen or disease to: The sick child infected the entire class.
To contaminate with a pathogenic microorganism or agent: Cholera infected the water supply.