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