infiltrate
to filter into or through; permeate.
to cause to pass in by filtering.
to move into (an organization, country, territory, or the like) surreptitiously and gradually, especially with hostile intent: The troops infiltrated the enemy lines.
to pass a small number of (soldiers, spies, or the like) into a territory or organization clandestinely and with hostile or subversive intent: The intelligence agency infiltrated three spies into the neighboring country.
to pass into or through a substance, place, etc., by or as by filtering.
Pathology. to penetrate tissue spaces or cells.
something that infiltrates.
Pathology. any substance penetrating tissues or cells and forming a morbid accumulation.
Origin of infiltrate
1Other words from infiltrate
- in·fil·tra·tive [in-fil-trey-tiv, in-fil-truh-], /ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪ tɪv, ɪnˈfɪl trə-/, adjective
- in·fil·tra·tor [in-fil-trey-ter, in-fil-trey-], /ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪ tər, ɪnˈfɪl treɪ-/, noun
- re·in·fil·trate, verb, re·in·fil·trat·ed, re·in·fil·trat·ing.
- un·in·fil·trat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for infiltrate
/ (ˈɪnfɪlˌtreɪt) /
to undergo or cause to undergo the process in which a fluid passes into the pores or interstices of a solid; permeate
military to pass undetected through (an enemy-held line or position)
to gain or cause to gain entrance or access surreptitiously: they infiltrated the party structure
something that infiltrates
pathol any substance that passes into and accumulates within cells, tissues, or organs
pathol a local anaesthetic solution injected into the tissues to cause local anaesthesia
Origin of infiltrate
1Derived forms of infiltrate
- infiltration, noun
- infiltrative, adjective
- infiltrator, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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