contagion
[ kuh n-tey-juh n ]
/ kənˈteɪ dʒən /
noun
the communication of disease by direct or indirect contact.
a disease so communicated.
the medium by which a contagious disease is transmitted.
harmful or undesirable contact or influence.
the ready transmission or spread as of an idea or emotion from person to person: a contagion of fear.
Words nearby contagion
Origin of contagion
OTHER WORDS FROM contagion
con·ta·gioned, adjectivenon·con·ta·gion, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for contagion
British Dictionary definitions for contagion
contagion
/ (kənˈteɪdʒən) /
noun
the transmission of disease from one person to another by direct or indirect contact
a contagious disease
another name for contagium
a corrupting or harmful influence that tends to spread; pollutant
the spreading of an emotional or mental state among a number of peoplethe contagion of mirth
Word Origin for contagion
C14: from Latin contāgiō a touching, infection, from contingere; see contact
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for contagion
contagion
[ kən-tā′jən ]
n.
Disease transmission by direct or indirect contact.
A disease that is or may be transmitted by direct or indirect contact; a contagious disease.
The direct cause, such as a bacterium or virus, of a communicable disease.
The spread of a behavior pattern, attitude, or emotion from person to person or group to group through suggestion, propaganda, rumor, or imitation.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for contagion
contagion
[ kən-tā′jən ]
The transmission of an infectious disease resulting from direct or indirect contact between individuals or animals.
A disease that is transmitted in this way.
The agent that causes a contagious disease, such as a bacterium or a virus.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.