n. [ Cf. F. infection, L. infectio a dyeing. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or process of infecting. [ 1913 Webster ]

There was a strict order against coming to those pits, and that was only to prevent infection. De Foe. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which infects, or causes the communicated disease; any effluvium, miasm, or pestilential matter by which an infectious disease is caused. [ 1913 Webster ]

And that which was still worse, they that did thus break out spread the infection further by their wandering about with the distemper upon them. De Foe. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The state of being infected; the condition of suffering from an infectious disease; contamination by morbific particles; the result of infecting influence; a prevailing disease; epidemic. [ 1913 Webster ]

The danger was really very great, the infection being so very violent in London. De Foe. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That which taints or corrupts morally; as, the infection of vicious principles. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was her chance to light
Amidst the gross infections of those times. Daniel. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Law) Contamination by illegality, as in cases of contraband goods; implication. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Sympathetic communication of like qualities or emotions; influence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Through all her train the soft infection ran. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mankind are gay or serious by infection. Rambler.

7. A localized area of tissue which is inflamed by growth of microorganisms; as, he has an infection in his finger. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- Infection, Contagion. -- Infection is often used in a definite and limited sense of the transmission of affections without direct contact of individuals or immediate application or introduction of the morbific agent, in contradistinction to contagion, which then implies transmission by direct contact. Quain. See Contagious. [ 1913 Webster ]