(transitive) To bring (the body or part of it) into contact with a substance that causes illness (a pathogen), so that the pathogen begins to act on the body; (of a pathogen) to come into contact with (a body or body part) and begin to act on it.

(obsolete) Infected.

An infective agent

plural of infectant

Able to infect or to become infected

The ability to infect or be infected

(pathology) The act or process of infecting. / An uncontrolled growth of harmful microorganisms in a host. / A disease caused by a pathogen.

The ability of a pathogen to establish an infection

present participle of infect

(epidemiology) A person who is capable of spreading a disease by infecting others.