infectious

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where the infectious pestilence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious nature. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Capable of being easily diffused or spread; sympathetic; readily communicated; as, infectious mirth. [ 1913 Webster ]

The laughter was so genuine as to be infectious. W. Black.

Syn. -- See Contagious. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (a) Any disease caused by the entrance, growth, and multiplication of microorganisms 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. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adv. In an infectious manner. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]