infiltrate

[in-fil-treyt, in-fil-treyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR infiltrate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·fil·trat·ed, in·fil·trat·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), in·fil·trat·ed, in·fil·trat·ing.

to pass into or through a substance, place, etc., by or as by filtering.

Pathology. to penetrate tissue spaces or cells.

noun

something that infiltrates.

Pathology. any substance penetrating tissues or cells and forming a morbid accumulation.

Origin of infiltrate

First recorded in 1750–60; in-² + filtrate

Related formsin·fil·tra·tive

[in-fil-trey-tiv, in-fil-truh-] /ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪ tɪv, ɪnˈfɪl trə-/, adjectivein·fil·tra·tor

[in-fil-trey-ter, in-fil-trey-] /ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪ tər, ɪnˈfɪl treɪ-/, nounre·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. 2019

Related Words for infiltrate

penetrate, pervade, permeate, impregnate, foist, saturate, access, insinuate, percolate, crack, tinge

Examples from the Web for infiltrate

Contemporary Examples of infiltrate

In 2008 Cromartie talked to The Gathering about the need to “infiltrate” secular media.
The $1-Billion-a-Year Right-Wing Conspiracy You Haven’t Heard Of
Jay Michaelson
September 25, 2014
I suppose we could infiltrate the government and do nothing.
Up To A Point: My Problem With People Who Agree With Me
P. J. O’Rourke
July 20, 2014
Police sources confirm that the Millers conspired to infiltrate an unidentified court building and execute public officials.
Hatriot Politics Created the Las Vegas Killers
John Avlon
June 10, 2014
But she was also having daily conversations with her OSI handlers about which drug rings she should try to infiltrate.
Spies, Lies, and Rape in the Air Force: An Undercover Agent's Story
Jacob Siegel
March 4, 2014
Jason White was a convicted felon from North Dakota who managed to infiltrate the Los Angeles Art world, until he snapped.
Gallery Owner Accused of Cyberstalking Members of L.A.’s Art Scene
Caitlin Dickson
February 13, 2014

Historical Examples of infiltrate

But the aliens were trying to infiltrate and every sentry post was vital.
Two Timer
Fredric Brown
We have been able to infiltrate most of their organizations.
Warren Commission (4 of 26): Hearings Vol. IV (of 15)
The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
I can infiltrate and exfiltrate any room on this campus, D. You've seen me do it.
Little Brother
Cory Doctorow
The cancer, instead of appearing as a circumscribed tumor, may infiltrate diffusely the gastric walls, and so escape detection.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II
Various
Fibrin, or the elements which compose it, also escapes to infiltrate the mucous membrane and remain upon its surface.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II
Various

British Dictionary definitions for infiltrate

infiltrate

verb

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 surreptitiouslythey infiltrated the party structure

noun

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

Derived Formsinfiltration, nouninfiltrative, adjectiveinfiltrator, noun

Word Origin for infiltrate

C18: from in- ² + filtrate

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

Word Origin and History for infiltrate

1758, of fluids, from in- (2) "in" + filtrate. Related: Infiltrated; infiltrating. Military sense of "penetrate enemy lines" attested from 1934.

infiltrate in Medicine

infiltrate

[ĭn-fĭl′trāt′, ĭn′fĭl-]

v.

To cause a liquid to permeate a substance by passing through its interstices or pores.

To permeate a porous substance with a liquid or gas.

n.

An abnormal substance that accumulates gradually in cells or body tissues.