Meaning
To bring (the body or part of it) into contact with a substance that causes illness (a pathogen), so that the pathogen begins to act on the body; (of a pathogen) to come into contact with (a body or body part) and begin to act on it.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
From Middle French infect, from Latin infectus, perfect passive participle of inficiō (“dye, taint”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
disinfect
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 8 recorded puzzles: