infect

• Verbe désignant l'action de transmettre une maladie, un virus ou un organisme nuisible à une personne, un animal ou une plante, ou d'introduire un agent pathogène dans un organisme. Peut aussi s'employer au sens figuré pour contaminer ou affecter négativement.

A verb used to indicate the act of causing a person, animal, or plant to become affected by a disease, virus, or harmful organism.

1. Transmit diseaseB1formalmedical

   To cause a person, animal, or plant to have a disease by introducing a pathogen.

   infecter

   • The virus can infect people through respiratory droplets.
   • Mosquitoes can infect humans with malaria.
   • The wound became infected with bacteria.

   Synonymesafflictblightcontaminatesickentaint

2. Spread to othersB1formal

   To pass a disease or illness to another living thing.

   contaminer (par une maladie)

   • She infected her entire family with the flu.
   • The sick child infected several classmates.
   • He was careful not to infect anyone else.

   Synonymescommunicatecontaminatepass onspreadtransmit

   Antonymescurehealtreat

3. Affect emotionally or mentallyB2informal

   To cause someone to share a particular feeling or attitude.

   Contaminer (affectivement)

   • Her enthusiasm infected everyone in the room.
   • His laughter infected the whole group.
   • The team's positive spirit infected the new members.

   Synonymesaffectimbueinfluenceinspiremovestirswaytouch