Main Entry: in·fuse

Pronunciation: \in-ˈfyüz\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): in·fused; in·fus·ing

Etymology: Middle English, to pour in, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French infuser, from Latin infusus, past participle of infundere to pour in, from in- + fundere to pour — more at found

Date: 1526

1 a : to cause to be permeated with something (as a principle or quality) that alters usually for the better <infuse the team with confidence> b : introduce, insinuate <a new spirit was infused into American art — American Guide Series: New York>
2 : inspire, animate <the sense of purpose that infuses scientific research>
3 : to steep in liquid (as water) without boiling so as to extract the soluble constituents or principles
4 : to administer or inject by infusion <stem cells were infused into the patient>

— in·fus·er noun

synonyms infuse, suffuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout. infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance <new members infused enthusiasm into the club>. suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality <a room suffused with light>. imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being <imbue students with intellectual curiosity>. ingrain , used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait <clung to ingrained habits>. inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety <an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas>. leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality <a serious play leavened with comic moments>.