infectious Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective satellite caused by infection or capable of causing infection
infective.
- viruses and other infective agents
- a carrier remains infective without himself showing signs of the disease
adjective easily spread; children catch it from their elders"- Bertrand Russell
- fear is exceedingly infectious
adjective of or relating to infection
- infectious hospital
- infectious disease

Cf. F. infectieux.

Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clothing; infectious air; infectious vices.
Where the infectious pestilence. Shak.
Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing.
It [the court] is necessary for the polishing of manners . . . but it is infectious even to the best morals to live always in it. Dryden.
(Law) Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture.
Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious nature. Kent.
Capable of being easily diffused or spread; sympathetic; readily communicated; as, infectious mirth.
The laughter was so genuine as to be infectious. W. Black.
Syn. -- See Contagious.