Infection
/ɪnˈfekʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in bodily tissues, causing injury and disease.
/ɪnˈfekʃən/
The process of infecting or the state of being infected.
A wound infection caused by bacteria required antibiotic treatment.
💡 Simply: Imagine tiny bad guys getting into your body and making you sick. That's an infection. It's like a tiny party of germs causing trouble! For instance, you might get an infection if you have a cut that isn't cleaned properly.
👶 For kids: When tiny germs get into your body and make you feel sick.
More Examples
The infection spread rapidly through the hospital.
Preventative measures are essential to avoid infection.
How It's Used
"The doctor diagnosed a bacterial infection in her lungs."
"The rapid spread of the infection raised concerns about an epidemic."
The act or process of affecting someone or something with a feeling, emotion, or influence; the condition of being so affected.
/ɪnˈfekʃən/
The causing or the condition of becoming affected with something.
The infection of fear prevented them from acting.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, a feeling or bad vibe can 'infect' others, like when one person's grumpiness makes everyone else grumpy. It's about the spread of something negative.
👶 For kids: When a bad feeling or mood spreads to other people, like when someone is sad and then everyone around them starts to feel sad too.
More Examples
The media was accused of the infection of paranoia.
His anger was clearly contagious; an infection of everyone's mood.
How It's Used
"The infection of negativity spread through the team."
"The infection of her sorrow was evident in her weary gaze."
Idioms & expressions
to get an infection
To contract a disease caused by germs entering the body.
"I think I got an infection after swimming in the lake."
prevent infection
To take steps to avoid the spread of germs.
"Doctors use hand sanitizer to prevent infection in the hospital."
From Middle French *infection*, from Latin *infectio* (“a staining, a dyeing, a corruption”), from *inficere* (“to put into, dip in, stain, corrupt”), from *in-* (“in, into”) + *facere* (“to make, do”).
Historically, the term has been used in both medical and figurative senses, evolving to encompass the spread of disease as well as the influence of negative emotions or ideas.
Memory tip
Think of a 'factory' (fac-) inside (-in) the body that's been 'corrupted' (fect-).
Word Origin
"to put into, dip in, stain, corrupt"