From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Infect \In*fect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infected; p. pr. & vb.
n. Infecting.] [L. infectus, p. p. of inficere to put or
dip into, to stain, infect; pref. in- in + facere to make;
cf. F. infecter. See Fact.]
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1. To taint with morbid matter or any pestilential or noxious
substance or effluvium by which disease is produced; as,
to infect a lancet; to infect an apartment.
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2. To affect with infectious disease; to communicate
infection to; as, infected with the plague.
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Them that were left alive being infected with this
disease. --Sir T.
North.
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3. To communicate to or affect with, as qualities or
emotions, esp. bad qualities; to corrupt; to contaminate;
to taint by the communication of anything noxious or
pernicious. --Cowper.
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Infected Ston's daughters with like heat. --Milton.
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4. (Law) To contaminate with illegality or to expose to
penalty.
Syn: To poison; vitiate; pollute; defile.
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