infected

UK: ɪnˈfɛktɪd | US: ɪnˈfɛktɪd

Definition

  1. adj. contaminated with a disease-causing organism

  2. vt. past tense of infect: to transmit a pathogen to a host

Structure
infect <in- (into) + fect (make, from Latin *facere*)>ed <past participle suffix>
Etymology

The word infected originates from Latin inficere ("to stain, corrupt"), combining in- (into) and facere (to make). The root fect evolved into English via Old French infecter, retaining the core idea of "introducing harmful agents." The suffix -ed marks the past participle, indicating a completed action of contamination.

Examples

  1. The wound became infected after exposure to bacteria.

  2. She wore gloves to avoid getting infected.

  3. The computer virus infected thousands of devices.

  4. His laughter infected the entire room with joy.

  5. The lab confirmed the samples were infected with a rare strain.