infiltrate

[ in-fil-treyt, in-fil-treyt ]
/ ɪnˈfɪl treɪt, ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪt /

verb (used with object), in·fil·trat·ed, in·fil·trat·ing.

verb (used without object), in·fil·trat·ed, in·fil·trat·ing.

to pass into or through a substance, place, etc., by or as by filtering.
Pathology. to penetrate tissue spaces or cells.

noun

something that infiltrates.
Pathology. any substance penetrating tissues or cells and forming a morbid accumulation.

Origin of infiltrate

First recorded in 1750–60; in-2 + filtrate

OTHER WORDS FROM infiltrate

in·fil·tra·tive [in-fil-trey-tiv, in-fil-truh-] /ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪ tɪv, ɪnˈfɪl trə-/, adjective in·fil·tra·tor [in-fil-trey-ter, in-fil-trey-] /ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪ tər, ɪnˈfɪl treɪ-/, noun re·in·fil·trate, verb, re·in·fil·trat·ed, re·in·fil·trat·ing. un·in·fil·trat·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for infiltrator

British Dictionary definitions for infiltrator

infiltrate
/ (ˈɪnfɪlˌtreɪt) /

verb

to undergo or cause to undergo the process in which a fluid passes into the pores or interstices of a solid; permeate
military to pass undetected through (an enemy-held line or position)
to gain or cause to gain entrance or access surreptitiously they infiltrated the party structure

noun

something that infiltrates
pathol any substance that passes into and accumulates within cells, tissues, or organs
pathol a local anaesthetic solution injected into the tissues to cause local anaesthesia

Derived forms of infiltrate

infiltration, noun infiltrative, adjective infiltrator, noun

Word Origin for infiltrate

C18: from in- ² + filtrate

Medical definitions for infiltrator

infiltrate
[ ĭn-fĭltrāt′, ĭnfĭl- ]

v.

To cause a liquid to permeate a substance by passing through its interstices or pores.
To permeate a porous substance with a liquid or gas.

n.

An abnormal substance that accumulates gradually in cells or body tissues.