First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
infect
verb in·fect \in-ˈfekt\
: to cause (someone or something) to become sick or affected by disease
: to cause (someone) to feel an emotion
of an emotion : to spread to (other people)
Full 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
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See infect defined for kids
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Origin of INFECT
Middle English, from Latin infectus, past participle of inficere, from in- + facere to make, do — more at do
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
INFECT Defined for Kids
infect
verb in·fect \in-ˈfekt\
in·fect·edin·fect·ing
Definition of INFECT for Kids
1
: to pass on or introduce a germ, illness, or disease to : to cause sickness in <Don't infect me with your cold.> <The bacteria can infect wounds.>
2
: to cause to share similar feelings <Her enthusiasm infects the other players.>
Medical Dictionary
infect
transitive verb in·fect \in-ˈfekt\
Medical Definition of INFECT
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—compare infest
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