INFECTIOUS

infectious

(adjective) easily spread; “fear is exceedingly infectious; children catch it from their elders”- Bertrand Russell

infectious, infective

(adjective) caused by infection or capable of causing infection; “viruses and other infective agents”; “a carrier remains infective without himself showing signs of the disease”

infectious

(adjective) of or relating to infection; “infectious hospital”; “infectious disease”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Adjective

infectious (comparative more infectious, superlative most infectious)

(pathology, of an illness) Transmitted from one person to another, usually through the air breathed.

(pathology, of a person) Able to infect others.

(of feelings and behaviour) Spreading quickly from one person to another.

(informal) Memorable and invoking excitement or interest.

Synonyms

• (transmitted between persons as illness): catching, contagious

• (able to infect others): contagious

• (spreading quickly between persons): contagious

• (memorable and exciting): catchy, contagious

Anagrams

• countifies

Source: Wiktionary

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In*fec"tious, a. Etym: [Cf. F. infectieux.]

1. Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clothing; infectious air; infectious vices. Where the infectious pestilence. Shak.

2. Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing. It [the court] is necessary for the polishing of manners . . . but it is infectious even to the best morals to live always in it. Dryden.

3. (Law)

Definition: Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture. Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious nature. Kent.

4. Capable of being easily diffused or spread; sympathetic; readily communicated; as, infectious mirth. The laughter was so genuine as to be infectious. W. Black.

Syn.

– See Contagious.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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