\In*fec"tion\, n. [Cf. F. infection, L. infectio a
dyeing.]
1. The act or process of infecting.
         There was a strict order against coming to those
         pits, and that was only to prevent infection. --De
                                               Foe.
2. That which infects, or causes the communicated disease;
   any effluvium, miasm, or pestilential matter by which an
   infectious disease is caused.
         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.
3. The state of being infected; contamination by morbific
   particles; the result of infecting influence; a prevailing
   disease; epidemic.
         The danger was really very great, the infection
         being so very violent in London.      --De Foe.
4. That which taints or corrupts morally; as, the infection
   of vicious principles.
         It was her chance to light Amidst the gross
         infections of those times.            --Daniel.
5. (Law) Contamination by illegality, as in cases of
   contraband goods; implication.
6. Sympathetic communication of like qualities or emotions;
   influence.
         Through all her train the soft infection ran.
                                               --Pope.
         Mankind are gay or serious by infection. --Rambler.
Syn: {Infection}, {Contagion}.
Usage: 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}.