zymotic

a. [ Gr. zymwtiko`s causing to ferment, fr. zymoy^n to ferment, zy`mh ferment, leaven. ] 1. Of, pertaining to, or caused by, fermentation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Med.) Designating, or pertaining to, a certain class of diseases. See Zymotic disease, below. [ 1913 Webster ]

Zymotic disease (Med.), any epidemic, endemic, contagious, or sporadic affection which is produced by some morbific principle or organism acting on the system like a ferment. Now (2004) referred to as an infectious disease. -- PJC [ 1913 Webster ]