1. caused by infection or capable of causing infection (Freq. 7) - viruses and other infective agents - a carrier remains infective without himself showing signs of the disease • Syn: infective • Similar to: septic, infected • Derivationally related forms: infect (for: infective), infection 2. easily spread (Freq. 4) - "fear is exceedingly infectious; children catch it from their elders"- Bertrand Russell • Ant: noninfectious • Similar to: catching, communicable, contagious, contractable, transmissible, transmittable, corrupting, contaminating • Derivationally related forms: infection 3. of or relating to infection - infectious hospital - infectious disease • Pertains to noun: infection • Derivationally related forms: infection