To infect is to spread germs, viruses, or harmful software into a person, animal, or system so that it becomes sick or damaged. It can also mean to spread an emotion or idea strongly to others.
It comes from Latin “inficere,” meaning “to stain,” “to dye,” or “to corrupt,” from “in-” (in) and “facere” (to make). The idea shifted from staining or tainting something to spreading disease.
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