infiltrate
verb
- get in, sneakily
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɪnfɪltɹeɪt/ / /ˈɪnfəltɹeɪt/ / /ɪnˈfɪltɹeɪt/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English infiltrate (adjective), from Medieval Latin infiltrātus, from infiltrō.
- 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.”
“Extensive lumpy infiltrates with a tendency to caseate and to form fistulas with purulent secretions appear, mainly in the anogenital region.”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English infiltrate (adjective), from Medieval Latin infiltrātus, from infiltrō.
- To surreptitiously penetrate, enter or gain access to.
“The spy infiltrated the high-tech company and stole many secrets.”
“Caithness was infiltrated with a palpable sense of being underimagined.”
- To cause to penetrate in this way.
“The agency infiltrated several spies into the company.”
- To pass through something by filtration.
- To cause (a liquid) to pass through something by filtration.
- To invade or penetrate a tissue or organ.
“High-grade tumors often infiltrate surrounding structures.”
“In certain conditions, immune cells may infiltrate into the cerebrospinal fluid.”
- To send (soldiers, spies, etc.) through gaps in the enemy line.
- To move from a vein, remaining in the body.