infectar

Senses

1. 1.

   to infect

   to contaminate with disease-causing microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.)

2. 2.

   to infect

   to contaminate a computer system with malware or viruses

3. 3.

   to contaminate, to corrupt

   to spread negative influence or ideas to others (figurative)

Examples

• "A ferida pode infectar se não for limpa adequadamente."

  The wound can get infected if it's not cleaned properly.

• "Um vírus infectou todos os computadores da empresa."

  A virus infected all the company's computers.

• "Não deixe que o pessimismo dele infecte a equipe."

  Don't let his pessimism infect the team.

Usage

Common in medical contexts and computing/technology. Often used reflexively as "infectar-se" (to become infected). Collocates frequently with "ferida" (wound), "vírus" (virus), and "bactéria" (bacteria). The figurative sense of spreading negative influence is also widely used.