infectious

American  

[in-fek-shuhs] / ɪnˈfɛk ʃəs /

adjective

1. communicable by infection, as from one person to another or from one part of the body to another.

   infectious diseases.

   Synonyms:

   catching

2. causing or communicating infection.

3. tending to spread from one to another.

   infectious laughter.

4. Law. capable of contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure or forfeiture.

5. Obsolete. diseased.

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infectious British  

/ ɪnˈfɛkʃəs /

adjective

1. (of a disease) capable of being transmitted Compare contagious

2. (of a disease) caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoa

3. causing or transmitting infection

4. tending or apt to spread, as from one person to another

   infectious mirth

5. international law

   1. tainting or capable of tainting with illegality

   2. rendering liable to seizure or forfeiture

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infectious Scientific  

/ ĭn-fĕk′shəs /

1. Capable of causing infection.

2. See Note at contagious

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Related Words

See contagious.

Other Word Forms

• infectiously adverb
• infectiousness noun
• noninfectious adjective
• noninfectiously adverb
• noninfectiousness noun
• uninfectious adjective
• uninfectiously adverb
• uninfectiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of infectious

First recorded in 1535–45; infect(ion) + -ious

Related Words

• contagious
• toxic
• virulent