INFECTIOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does infectious mean? 

• INFECTIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective INFECTIOUS has 3 senses:

1. caused by infection or capable of causing infection

2. easily spread

3. of or relating to infection

  Familiarity information: INFECTIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INFECTIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Caused by infection or capable of causing infection

Synonyms:

infectious; infective

Context example:

a carrier remains infective without himself showing signs of the disease

Similar:

infected; septic (containing or resulting from disease-causing organisms)

Derivation:

infection (the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Easily spread

Context example:

fear is exceedingly infectious; children catch it from their elders

Similar:

catching; communicable; contagious; contractable; transmissible; transmittable ((of disease) capable of being transmitted by infection)

contagious (easily diffused or spread as from one person to another)

contaminating; corrupting (that infects or taints)

Antonym:

noninfectious (not infectious)

Derivation:

infection (the communication of an attitude or emotional state among a number of people)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Of or relating to infection

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

infectious disease

Pertainym:

infection (the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms)

Derivation:

infection ((medicine) the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms and their multiplication which can lead to tissue damage and disease)

infection (the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms)

 Context examples 

Barmah forest viruses are found in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and cause infectious arthritis, encephalitis, rashes and fever in humans.

(Barmah Forest Virus, NCI Thesaurus)

NewLink's chief scientific officer for infectious diseases, Thomas Monath, said the FDA would likely approve the vaccine quickly, with large-scale production as early as 2018.

(Study confirms efficacy of NewLink Genetics ebola vaccine, Wikinews)

A disorder characterized by an infectious process involving the abdominal cavity.

(Abdominal Infection, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)

An infectious disorder that occurs during the neonatal period.

(Neonatal Infectious Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

A disorder characterized by an infectious process involving the ovary.

(Ovarian Infection, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)

Influenza is one of the main infectious diseases in humans.

('Significant breakthrough' in understanding the deadly nature of pandemic influenza, University of Cambridge )

A disorder characterized by an infectious process involving the pancreas.

(Pancreatic Infection, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)

An infectious process affecting the pancreas.

(Pancreatic Infection, NCI Thesaurus)

CSF in 30 percent of HIV-infected patients tracked showed at least transient signs of inflammation – suggesting an active infectious process – or viral replication within the first two years of infection.

(HIV can spread early, evolve in patients’ brains, NIH)

MGUS may occur in conjunction with various carcinomas, chronic inflammatory and infectious conditions, and other diseases.

(Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, NCI Thesaurus)