Hypertext Webster Gateway: "infectious"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Infectious \In*fec"tious\, a. [Cf. F. infectieux.]
1. 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.

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. (Law) Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure
and forfeiture.

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}.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Parotitis \Par`o*ti"tis\, n. [NL. See {Parotid}, and {-itis}.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the parotid glands.

{Epidemic}, or {Infectious}, {parotitis}, mumps.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

infectious
adj 1: caused by infection or capable of causing infection; viruses
and other infective agents"; "a carrier remains
infective without himself showing signs of the
disease" [syn: {infective}]
2: easily spread; "fear is exceedlingly infectious; children
catch it from their elders"- Bertrand Russell [ant: {noninfectious}]


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