infectious
[ in-fek-shuhs ]
/ ɪnˈfɛk ʃəs /
adjective
communicable by infection, as from one person to another or from one part of the body to another: infectious diseases.
causing or communicating infection.
tending to spread from one to another: infectious laughter.
Law.
capable of contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure or forfeiture.
Obsolete.
diseased.
Origin of infectious
First recorded in 1535–45;
infect(ion) +
-ious
synonym study for infectious
1. See
contagious.
OTHER WORDS FROM infectious
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH infectious
contagious infectious (see synonym study at contagious)Words nearby infectious
Example sentences from the Web for infectious
British Dictionary definitions for infectious
infectious
/ (ɪnˈfɛkʃəs) /
adjective
(of a disease) capable of being transmitted
Compare contagious
(of a disease) caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoa
causing or transmitting infection
tending or apt to spread, as from one person to another
infectious mirth
international law
- tainting or capable of tainting with illegality
- rendering liable to seizure or forfeiture
Derived forms of infectious
infectiously, adverb infectiousness, nounMedical definitions for infectious
infectious
[ ĭn-fĕk′shəs ]
adj.
Capable of causing infection.
Caused by or capable of being transmitted by infection.
Caused by a pathogenic microorganism or agent.
Other words from infectious
in•fec′tious•ness n.Scientific definitions for infectious
infectious
[ ĭn-fĕk′shəs ]
Capable of causing infection. See Note at contagious.