[in.fect] vt [ME, fr. L infectus, pp. of inficere, fr. in- + facere to make, do--more at do] (14c) 1: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (as bacteria)
2. a: to communicate a pathogen or a disease to b of a pathogenic organism: to invade (an individual or organ) usu. by penetration c of a computer virus: to become transmitted and copied to (as a computer) 3 a: contaminate, corrupt "the inflated writing that ~s such stories" b: to work upon or seize upon so as to induce sympathy, belief, or support "trying to ~ their salespeople with their enthusiasm" -- in.fec.tor n