In*fec"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
infection, L. infectio a dyeing.]
1. The act or process of infecting.
There was a strict order against coming to those pits,
and that was only to prevent infection.
De
Foe.
2. That which infects, or causes the
communicated disease; any effluvium, miasm, or pestilential matter by
which an infectious disease is caused.
And that which was still worse, they that did thus
break out spread the infection further by their wandering
about with the distemper upon them.
De Foe.
3. The state of being infected; contamination
by morbific particles; the result of infecting influence; a
prevailing disease; epidemic.
The danger was really very great, the infection
being so very violent in London.
De Foe.
4. That which taints or corrupts morally; as,
the infection of vicious principles.
It was her chance to light
Amidst the gross infections of those times.
Daniel.
5. (Law) Contamination by illegality,
as in cases of contraband goods; implication.
6. Sympathetic communication of like
qualities or emotions; influence.
Through all her train the soft infection
ran.
Pope.
Mankind are gay or serious by
infection.
Rambler.
Syn. -- Infection, Contagion. --
Infection is often used in a definite and limited sense of the
transmission of affections without direct contact of individuals or
immediate application or introduction of the morbific agent, in
contradistinction to contagion, which then implies
transmission by direct contact. Quain. See
Contagious.
