\In*fect"\, a. [L. infectus: cf. F. infect. See {Infect},
v. t.]
Infected. Cf. {Enfect}. [Obs.] --Shak.

\In*fect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Infected}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Infecting}.] [L. infectus, p. p. of inficere to put or
dip into, to stain, infect; pref. in- in + facere to make;
cf. F. infecter. See {Fact}.]
1. To taint with morbid matter or any pestilential or noxious
   substance or effluvium by which disease is produced; as,
   to infect a lancet; to infect an apartment.
2. To affect with infectious disease; to communicate
   infection to; as, infected with the plague.
         Them that were left alive being infected with this
         disease.                              --Sir T.
                                               North.
3. To communicate to or affect with, as qualities or
   emotions, esp. bad qualities; to corrupt; to contaminate;
   to taint by the communication of anything noxious or
   pernicious. --Cowper.
         Infected Ston's daughters with like heat. --Milton.
4. (Law) To contaminate with illegality or to expose to
   penalty.
Syn: To poison; vitiate; pollute; defile.