'Infectious' definitions:

Definition of 'infectious'

From: WordNet
adjective
Caused by infection or capable of causing infection; "viruses and other infective agents"; "a carrier remains infective without himself showing signs of the disease" [syn: infectious, infective]
adjective
Easily spread; "fear is exceedingly infectious; children catch it from their elders"- Bertrand Russell [ant: noninfectious]
adjective
Of or relating to infection; "infectious hospital"; "infectious disease"

Definition of 'Infectious'

From: GCIDE
  • Infectious \In*fec"tious\, a. [Cf. F. infectieux.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clothing; infectious water; infectious vices. [1913 Webster]
  • Where the infectious pestilence. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing. [1913 Webster]
  • It [the court] is necessary for the polishing of manners . . . but it is infectious even to the best morals to live always in it. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Law) Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture. [1913 Webster]
  • Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious nature. --Kent. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Capable of being easily diffused or spread; sympathetic; readily communicated; as, infectious mirth. [1913 Webster]
  • The laughter was so genuine as to be infectious. --W. Black.
  • Syn: See Contagious. [1913 Webster]