noun

infection

infection, contagion

He has a serious chest infection.

He has a serious chest infection.

Wash your hands to prevent the spread of infection.

Wash your hands to prevent the spread of infection.

((an)) infection ((of sth.)) a disease in a part of your body. He has an ear infection.

Synonyms: contamination, disease, illness; Antonyms: sterilization, health

From Latin 'inficere' (to stain, corrupt), from 'in-' (into) + 'facere' (to make). It literally means 'to make into' something bad.

Think of something getting 'IN'side you and af'FECT'ing you negatively.

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