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- 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| derivation: |
infector (infecter) (n.) |
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