01 a. Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clothing…
-
1.
Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clothing; infectious water; infectious vices.“Where the infectious pestilence.” — Shak.
-
2.
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.
-
3.
Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture.(Law)“Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious nature.” — Kent.
-
4.
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.