infection

(in-fek’shon), n. [= F. infection Pr. infectio, infeccio = Sp. infeccion = Pg. infeccio = It. in fez i one, ¢ LL. infectio(n-), a dyeing (infection), ¢ L. inficere, pp. infect us, dye, mix, infect: see infect.] 1. The act of infecting. (@ Communication of some quality, property, or state, whether good or bad, by contact, diffusive or emanative influence, example, etc.; more especially, the communication of some taint, or noxious or pernicious quality or element, etc.; contamination; taint. There, while her tears deplor’d the godlike man Through all her train the soft infection ran; The pious maids their mingled sorrows shed, And mourn the living Hector, as the dead. Pope, liad, vi. 645. Mankind are gay or serious by infection. Johnson, Rambler. (6) The communication of disease or of disease-germs, whether by contact with a diseased person or with morbid or noxious matter, contaminated clothing, etc., or by poisonous exhalations from any source. Compare contagion, 1. There was a strict order against coming to those pits, and that was only to prevent infection. De Foe. (c) Contamination by illegality, as in po e ing contraband goods, ete. In 1744, under Louis XV., a regulation freed neutral ships from the infection of the hostile cargo, but the same enactment ordained that neutral goods, the growth or fabric of enemies, should be confiscated. Woolsey, Introd, to Inter. Law, § 174. 2. That which infects, or by which some quality or state is communicated. (a) That which taints, poisons, or corrupts by communication from one to another; contaminating influence: as, the infection of error, or of an evil example. It was her [Queen Margaret's] chance to light Amidst the gro infection of those times, Daniel, Civil Wars, v- 422 infection (b) That by which disease is or may be communicated; an infecting agency; morbific emanation or influence; virus. Thou hast eyes Like flames of sulphur, which, methinks, do dart Infection on me. Beau. and Fl,, King and No King, iii. 8. If he bring with him his bill of health, and that he is now cleare of infection and of no danger to the other sheep, then with incredible expre ions of joy all his brethren receive him. Milton, Church-Government, ii. 3. Finding that the sickne had been ceased at Chris to-” phers three months before they came forth, so as there could be no danger of infection in their persons, they gave them liberty to continue on shore. Winthrop, Hist. New England, IT. 381. 8. In gram., a modification of a vowel-sound by another following, whereby the first takes on the sound of the second: applied to such modification in Celtic speech. Windisch, Irish Gram. (trans.).