/ ɪnˈfekʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] the act or process of causing or getting a disease :
to be exposed to infection
to increase the risk of infection
—see also cross-infection
2.
[ C ] an illness that is caused by bacteria or a virus and that affects one part of the body :
an ear / throat, etc. infection
to spread an infection
➡ note at disease
—compare contagion
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from late Latin infectio(n-) , from Latin inficere dip in, taint, from in- into + facere put, do.