Main Entry:

in·fect

Pronunciation:

\in-ˈfekt\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

1: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (as bacteria)2 a: to communicate a pathogen or a disease to bof a pathogenic organism : to invade (an individual or organ) usually by penetration cof 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