Definition of the word infiltrate

The word "infiltrate" comes from the Latin word "infiltrāre," which means "to soak or permeate into." This word consists of two parts: "in" meaning "into," and "filtrāre" meaning "to filter" or "to strain." The use of the word "infiltrate" in its modern English meaning, which refers to espionage and covert operations, can be traced back to the late 19th century. During that time, the term "infiltration" was used to describe the process by which a small group of individuals would be sent into an organized group, such as a political party or a secret society, with the intention of gathering information or disrupting their activities. The term became commonly associated with intelligence and espionage activities during World War I, when it was widely used to describe the activities of spies and saboteurs sent behind enemy lines. Today, the word "infiltrate" is commonly used to describe the activities of intelligence agencies, law enforcement organizations, and military groups as they try to gather information or achieve strategic objectives by infiltrating and manipulating organizations or communities.