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.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE In*fec"tious dis*ease". (a) Any disease caused by the entrance, growth, and multiplication of bacteria or protozoans in the body; a germ disease. It may not be contagious. (b) Sometimes, as distinguished from contagious disease, such a disease communicated by germs carried in the air or water, and thus spread without contact with the patient, as measles.
INFECTIOUSLY
In*fec"tious*ly, adv.
Defn: In an infectious manner. Shak.
INFECTIOUSNESS
In*fec"tious*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being infectious.
INFECTIVE
In*fect"ive, a. Etym: [L. infectivus pertaining to dyeing.]
Defn: Infectious. Beau. & Fl.
True love . . . hath an infective power. Sir P. Sidney.
INFECUND In*fec"und, a. Etym: [L. infecundus: cf. F. infécond. See In- not, and Fecund.]