in·fect
Pronounced:
/ɪnˈfɛkt/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
in·fects; in·fect·ed; in·fect·ingMeaning:
[+ obj] 1 : to cause (someone or something) to become sick or affected by disease ▪ If you're sick you should stay home to avoid infecting other people in the office. ▪ The virus has infected many people. ▪ They were unable to prevent bacteria from infecting the wound. —often used as (be) infected ▪ He was infected by a coworker. ▪ He was infected with AIDS.
2 a : to cause (someone) to feel an emotion —usually + with ▪ She has infected everyone with her enthusiasm. [=her enthusiasm has made other people feel enthusiastic too] b of an emotion : to spread to (other people) ▪ Her enthusiasm has infected everyone.
3 of a computer virus : to cause (a computer or computer file) to stop working as it should ▪ The virus has infected many computers. ▪ All the computers in the office were infected by/with the same virus.
2 a : to cause (someone) to feel an emotion —usually + with ▪ She has infected everyone with her enthusiasm. [=her enthusiasm has made other people feel enthusiastic too] b of an emotion : to spread to (other people) ▪ Her enthusiasm has infected everyone.
3 of a computer virus : to cause (a computer or computer file) to stop working as it should ▪ The virus has infected many computers. ▪ All the computers in the office were infected by/with the same virus.