INFECTIOUS

infectious|infective. Infectious, or Infective, a. contagious, tainting

---

In‐fec″tious (?), a. [[Cf. F. infectieux.]] 1. 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. 2. Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing.
It is necessary for the polishing of manners . . . but it is infectious even to the best morals to live always in it. Dryden. 3. 3. (Law) Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture.
Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious nature. Kent. 4. 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.