infect

in·fect

verb \in-ˈfekt\

Definition of INFECT

transitive verb

1

: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (as bacteria)

2

a : to communicate a pathogen or a disease to b of a pathogenic organism : to invade (an individual or organ) usually by penetration c of a computer virus : to become transmitted and copied to (as a computer)

3

a : contaminate, corrupt <the inflated writing that infects such stories> b : to work upon or seize upon so as to induce sympathy, belief, or support <trying to infect their salespeople with their enthusiasm>

— in·fec·tor \-ˈfek-tər\ noun

Examples of INFECT

1. If you're sick you should stay home to avoid infecting other people in the office.
2. The virus has infected many people.
3. They were unable to prevent bacteria from infecting the wound.
4. Her enthusiasm has infected everyone.
5. The virus has infected many computers.
6. All the computers in the office were infected by the same virus.

Origin of INFECT

Middle English, from Latin infectus, past participle of inficere, from in- + facere to make, do — more at do

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with INFECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked