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Infect Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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infect

[ษชnหˆfษ›kt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

spread disease

To contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent, such as bacteria or viruses, and thereby induce illness or infection in a person or organism.

Synonyms

contaminate, spread, transmit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infect

Typically used when a disease or virus enters someone's body or system, causing illness.

  • The virus can infect humans very quickly
  • Be careful not to infect others if you are sick
contaminate

Used when a harmful substance makes something dirty, impure, or dangerous, such as food, water, or surfaces.

  • The water supply was contaminated with bacteria
  • Ensure that you do not contaminate the food during preparation
transmit

Refers to the transfer of disease, signals, or information from one person, place, or thing to another.

  • Mosquitoes can transmit malaria
  • The message was transmitted via satellite
spread

Describes the action of disease, information, or other things moving from one individual or place to another.

  • The flu tends to spread quickly during winter
  • Rumors can spread like wildfire

Examples of usage

  • Influenza is caused by a virus that infects the respiratory system.
  • The bacteria can infect the wound if not properly treated.
  • She unknowingly infected her coworkers with the flu.
Context #2 | Verb

computer virus

To invade a computer or network with a virus or malware, causing damage or disruption to the system.

Synonyms

contaminate, corrupt, infiltrate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infect

Duplicate entry - already described above.
contaminate

Used to describe the process of making something impure or harmful by introducing pollutants or toxins. Often used in environmental, chemical, or food safety contexts.

  • The water supply was contaminated by industrial waste
  • Make sure not to contaminate the food with raw meat
corrupt

Primarily used in moral, ethical, or political contexts to describe the act of making someone or something dishonest or immoral. This term has a negative connotation.

  • Power can corrupt even the most honest individuals
  • The official was accused of taking bribes to corrupt the bidding process
infiltrate

Commonly used in a military, espionage, or security context to describe entering or gaining access to an organization or place surreptitiously, especially to acquire secret information.

  • The spy managed to infiltrate the enemy base
  • The hackers tried to infiltrate the company's network

Examples of usage

  • His laptop was infected with a malicious software program.
  • The virus quickly spread and infected multiple devices on the network.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Infectious diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, each with unique modes of transmission.
  • Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing infections by preparing the body's immune system to fight off specific pathogens.
  • Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but not viral ones, highlighting the need for different treatments depending on the cause.

Psychology

  • Studies on 'social contagion' suggest emotions and behaviors can spread among people similarly to diseases, indicating a psychological aspect to 'infection'.
  • Social environments can 'infect' individuals with stress or positivity, impacting overall mental health.
  • The concept of 'emotional infection' shows how moods can influence groups, supporting the idea of collective behavior.

Pop Culture

  • Movies like 'Contagion' depict realistic scenarios of how infections can spread rapidly, raising public awareness.
  • Zombie films often feature infections as a plot device, playing on fears of losing control over oneโ€™s body.
  • The rise of social media has led to the term 'viral', where ideas or trends can infect large populations almost instantly.

History

  • The Black Death in the 14th century was one of the deadliest infections in history, profoundly impacting European society.
  • Before the discovery of germs, many cultures attributed infections to 'bad air' or divine punishment, reflecting a lack of scientific understanding.
  • The development of germ theory in the 19th century paved the way for modern medicine and hygiene practices, fundamentally changing how societies approach infections.

Origin of 'infect'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin 'infectus', meaning 'to taint', which shows its early use in the context of diseases.
  • It was first recorded in English around the 15th century, reflecting the growing understanding of how diseases spread.
  • In the 19th century, medical advancements led to clearer definitions and a more accurate understanding of how infections occur.

The word 'infect' originated from the Latin word 'infectus', which means 'stained' or 'contaminated'. It has been used in the English language since the 14th century. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass not only the spread of disease but also the invasion of computer systems by malicious software.

See also: disinfect, disinfectant, disinfection, disinfector, infected, infection, infections, infectious.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,567, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.