1. For a microorganism to enter, invade, or inhabit another organism, causing infection or contamination. 2. To dwell internally, endoparasitically, as opposed to externally (infest). [L. in-ficio, pp. -fectus, to dip into, dye, corrupt, i., fr. in + facio, to make]
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infection, infected, infective
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in·fect in-'fekt vt
1) to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (as bacteria)
2 a) to communicate a pathogen or a disease to
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in·fect (in-fektґ) [L. inficere to stain, infect] 1. to invade and produce infection in. 2. to transmit a pathogen or disease to.Medical dictionary. 2011.