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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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

7. A localized area of tissue which is inflamed by growth of
microorganisms; as, he has an infection in his finger.
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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}.
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