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infect

in·fect

infect

 
 
pronunciation:
ihn fekt
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: infects, infecting, infected
definition 1: to contaminate with germs or disease.
The discarded medical waste infected the water supply.The filthy bandage infected the cut.
synonyms:
contaminate
similar words:
affect, blight, canker, communicate, corrupt, defile, poison, taint
definition 2: to cause disease in by the transference of germs.
The younger child infected his brother and his sister with the flu.
definition 3: to corrupt or contaminate morally, as though with a disease.
He infected his son with his hatred.
synonyms:
corrupt, deprave, pollute
similar words:
canker, contaminate, debauch, defile, degrade, pervert, spoil, vitiate
definition 4: to affect as though by contagion.
The mob was infected with violence.The teacher's unexpected laughter infected the students so that very soon the whole class was in an uproar of hilarity.
synonyms:
inflame, permeate
similar words:
enkindle, excite, imbue, influence, inform, infuse, pervade, poison
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: infector (infecter) (n.)
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature