infiltrate
[in-fil-treyt, in-fil-treyt]
- 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.
Show More
- to pass into or through a substance, place, etc., by or as by filtering.
- Pathology. to penetrate tissue spaces or cells.
Show More
- something that infiltrates.
- Pathology. any substance penetrating tissues or cells and forming a morbid accumulation.
Show More
Origin of infiltrate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for infiltrate
Contemporary Examples
In 2008 Cromartie talked to The Gathering about the need to “infiltrate” secular media.
I suppose we could infiltrate the government and do nothing.
Police sources confirm that the Millers conspired to infiltrate an unidentified court building and execute public officials.
But she was also having daily conversations with her OSI handlers about which drug rings she should try to infiltrate.
Jason White was a convicted felon from North Dakota who managed to infiltrate the Los Angeles Art world, until he snapped.
Historical Examples
But the aliens were trying to infiltrate and every sentry post was vital.
Two TimerFredric 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 BrotherCory Doctorow
The cancer, instead of appearing as a circumscribed tumor, may infiltrate diffusely the gastric walls, and so escape detection.
Fibrin, or the elements which compose it, also escapes to infiltrate the mucous membrane and remain upon its surface.
infiltrate
- 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
Show More
- 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
Show More
Word Origin
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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
infiltrate
(ĭn-fĭl′trāt′, ĭn′fĭl-)- 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.
Show More
- An abnormal substance that accumulates gradually in cells or body tissues.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.