infuse

/ɪnˈfjuz/

/ɪnˈfjuz/

Other forms: infused; infusing; infuses

To infuse is to steep something in a liquid to extract the flavors from it. You'll impress your friends with your cooking if you infuse rosemary and thyme in broth and then use the liquid to marinate chicken.

To infuse also means to inspire or fill with a certain quality. Your goal might be to infuse your writing with such humor that your readers laugh until they cry. The medical meaning of infuse is to introduce a medicinal therapy through a patient's vein. When you're badly dehydrated, doctors may need to infuse you with fluids. The Latin root infusus means "to pour into."

Definitions of infuse

1. verb

   fill, as with a certain quality
   synonyms: impregnate, instill, tincture

   type of:

   fill, fill up, make full

   make full, also in a metaphorical sense
2. verb

   teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
   synonyms: inculcate, instill

   types:

   din

   instill (into a person) by constant repetition

   type of:

   drill

   teach by repetition
3. verb

   undergo the process of infusion
   “the mint tea is infusing”

   synonyms:

   steep

   let sit in a liquid to extract a flavor or to cleanse

   type of:

   steep

   let sit in a liquid to extract a flavor or to cleanse
4. verb

   let sit in a liquid to extract a flavor or to cleanse
   synonyms: steep

   types:

   marinade, marinate

   soak in marinade

   decoct

   steep in hot water

   draw

   steep; pass through a strainer

   type of:

   imbue, soak

   fill, soak, or imbue totally
5. verb

   introduce into the body through a vein, for therapeutic purposes
   type of:

   inject, shoot

   give an injection to