v.
Pronunciation: in- ' fekt
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin infectus, past participle of inficere, from in- + facere to make, do ― more at DO
Date: 14th century
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) usually by penetration c of a computer virus : to become transmitted and copied to (as a computer)
3 a : CONTAMINATE , CORRUPT <the inflated writing that infect s such stories> b : to work upon or seize upon so as to induce sympathy, belief, or support <trying to infect their salespeople with their enthusiasm>
– in · fec · tor \ - ' fek-t ə r \ noun