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in·fuse (ĭn-fyz)
Share:
tr.v. in·fused, in·fus·ing, in·fus·es
1. To put into or introduce as if by pouring: infused new vigor into the movement.
2. To fill or cause to be filled with something: infused them with a love of the land.
3. To steep or soak without boiling in order to extract soluble elements or active principles.
4. To flavor or scent (a liquid) by steeping ingredients in it: "He would infuse ... vegetable oil with the pungent taste of scallions" (Nina Simonds).
5. To introduce (a solution) into the body through a vein for therapeutic purposes.

[Middle English infusen, from Old French infuser, from Latin īnfundere, īnfūs- : in-, in; see IN-2 + fundere, to pour; see gheu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

in·fuser n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.