Infect

v. t. [imp. & p. p. INFECTED; p. pr. & vb. n. INFECTING.] [Fr. infecter, Sp. infectar, infectir, It. infettare, from Lat. inficere, infectum, to put or dip into, to stain, infect, from prefix in and facere, to make.]

1. To taint with disease; to infuse, as a healthy body, with the virus, miasma, or morbid matter of a diseased body, or any pestilential or noxious air or substance by which a disease is produced; as, infected with the plague.
2. To taint or affect with morbid or noxious matter; as, to infect a lancet; to infect clothing; to infect an apartment.
3. To communicate bad qualities to; to corrupt; to taint by the communication of any thing noxious or pernicious. “Infected Sion’s daughters with like heat.” Milton.
4. (Law.) To contaminate with illegality, or expose to penalty.

Syn.—To poison; vitiate; pollute; defile.