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: infectious, infective]
    2: easily spread; "fear is exceedingly infectious; children
       catch it from their elders"- Bertrand Russell [ant:
       noninfectious]
    3: of or relating to infection; "infectious hospital";
       "infectious disease"

Infectious \In*fec"tious\, a. [Cf. F. infectieux.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused
      by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious
      fever; infectious clothing; infectious water; infectious
      vices.
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            Where the infectious pestilence.      --Shak.
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   2. Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate;
      vitiating; demoralizing.
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            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.
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   3. (Law) Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure
      and forfeiture.
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            Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious
            nature.                               --Kent.
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   4. Capable of being easily diffused or spread; sympathetic;
      readily communicated; as, infectious mirth.
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            The laughter was so genuine as to be infectious.
                                                  --W. Black.

   Syn: See Contagious.
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