infection
in.fec.tion \in-'fek-sh*n\ n 1: the act or result of affecting injuriously 2: an act or process of infecting; also : the establishment of a pa thogen in its host after invasion 3: the state produced by the establishment of an infective agent in or on a suitable host; also : a contagious or infectious disease 4: an infective agent or material contaminated with an infective agent 5: the communication of emotions or qualities through example or contact