Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Infectious

Infectious , adjective

[Compare French infectieux.]

1.
Having qualities that may infect; communicable or caused by infection; pestilential; epidemic; as, an infectious fever; infectious clothing; infectious water; infectious vices.
Where the infectious pestilence. — Shakespeare
2.
Corrupting, or tending to corrupt or contaminate; vitiating; demoralizing.
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
3.
(Law) Contaminating with illegality; exposing to seizure and forfeiture.
Contraband articles are said to be of an infectious nature. — Kent
4.
Capable of being easily diffused or spread; sympathetic; readily communicated; as, infectious mirth.
The laughter was so genuine as to be infectious. — W. Black