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DictionaryRoot: -io
Latin

-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

  • -io
  • -ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
  • -ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

197 / 371
noun

infection

in-FEK-shuhn/ɪnˈfekʃn/

The establishment and spread of harmful microorganisms within a host.

The multiplying microbes cause an infection that reddens and swells the fingertip.

A simple medical-style pen illustration of a fingertip with a mildly reddened swollen small spot, accompanied by an enlarged circular inset of multiplying microbe shapes, no gore, no text.
Etymology
inLatinin, into, on, upon
+fectLatindo, make
+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Together, the roots formed a verb meaning “put into” or “dip into,” then “stain” or “spoil.” Infection carries this image of contamination into the bodily process of disease.

In context

This Week in Science (TWIS)69:38
some of these infections like chickenpox small number of microbes persist in the body a long time after the symptoms have gone away and the Infectious part of the infection has gone away
Live Long Because Science! - This Week in Science Podcast (TWIS) - Episode 602

More examples

  • Washing your hands helps prevent infection.
  • She takes antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection.
  • Some fungal infections affect the skin and nails.

Forms

infection · infections

infect verb — To introduce disease-causing microorganisms into a host.

infectious adjective — Capable of causing or spreading an infection.

Similar words

disease
A broader term including conditions not caused by microorganisms.
contagion
Emphasizes transmission of infectious disease rather than its establishment.