ə̇nˈfekshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English feccioun, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French infection, from Late Latin infection-, infectio, from Latin infectus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act or result of affecting or infecting injuriously:
a. : contamination or pollution of matter (as air or water)
b. : corruption of character, morals, faith, loyalty
focal point of moral and political infection
2. : an act or process of infecting
syphilis infection is chiefly venereal
also : the establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion
3. : the state produced by the establishment of an infective agent in or on a suitable host
hampered by an infection in his foot
: a contagious or infectious disease
among the more serious infections of childhood are scarlet fever and meningitis
4. : an infective agent (as a fungus, bacterium, or virus) : material contaminated with an infective agent and capable of causing disease
5. : the communication of emotions or qualities through example or contact
from such people … goes forth the infection of goodwill — W.F.Hambly
always open to the infection of the holiday mood — Mary Austin
6. : the subjecting of an entire cargo to forfeiture because of the contraband nature of part of it
7. : the influence on a speech sound of a vowel sound next following or preceding
8. : the acquisition of inductive power by embryonic cells through diffusion from adjacent organizer