infectious
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.in·fec·tious
adjective \-shəs\Definition of INFECTIOUS
1
a : capable of causing infection <viruses and other infectious agents> b : communicable by infection <an infectious disease> — compare contagious
2
: that corrupts or contaminates
3
: spreading or capable of spreading rapidly to others <their enthusiasm was infectious> <an infectious grin>
— in·fec·tious·ly adverb
— in·fec·tious·ness noun
See Examples of INFECTIOUS
- viruses and other infectious agents
- She has an infectious grin.
First Known Use of INFECTIOUS
1542
Related to INFECTIOUS
- Synonyms
- catching, epidemic, contagious, spreading
in·fec·tious
adjective \in-ˈfek-shəs\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of INFECTIOUS
1
: capable of causing infection <a carrier remains infectious without exhibiting signs of disease> <viruses and other infectious agents>
2
: communicable by invasion of the body of a susceptible organism <all contagious diseases are also infectious, but it does not follow that all infectious diseases are contagious—W. A. Hagan>—compare contagious 1
—in·fec·tious·ly adverb
—in·fec·tious·ness noun
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