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Infiltrate

//ˈɪnfəltɹeɪt// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Any undesirable substance or group of cells that has made its way into part of the body.

    "One critical distinction to make is whether a focal corneal infiltrate is infected with bacteria or is a sterile immunologic response."

Verb
  1. 1
    To surreptitiously penetrate, enter or gain access to. ambitransitive

    "The spy infiltrated the high-tech company and stole many secrets."

  2. 2
    pass through an enemy line; in a military conflict wordnet
  3. 3
    To cause to penetrate in this way. transitive

    "The agency infiltrated several spies into the company."

  4. 4
    pass into or through by filtering or permeating wordnet
  5. 5
    To pass through something by filtration. ambitransitive
Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    cause (a liquid) to enter by penetrating the interstices wordnet
  2. 7
    To cause (a liquid) to pass through something by filtration. transitive
  3. 8
    enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members wordnet
  4. 9
    To invade or penetrate a tissue or organ. ambitransitive

    "High-grade tumors often infiltrate surrounding structures."

  5. 10
    To send (soldiers, spies, etc.) through gaps in the enemy line. transitive
  6. 11
    To move from a vein, remaining in the body. intransitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English infiltrate (adjective), from Medieval Latin infiltrātus, from infiltrō.

Etymology 2

From Middle English infiltrate (adjective), from Medieval Latin infiltrātus, from infiltrō.

See also for "infiltrate"

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