contagion
[kuh n-tey-juh n]
- 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.
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Origin of contagion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for contagion
Contemporary Examples
In addition, the protests had been largely contained to very specific areas and the fear of contagion never materialized.
As scary as contagion can seem, nobody should be panicking, no matter which virus happens to be making the headlines.
Further, the contagion effect of suicide and the resultant attention to it is a well-documented phenomenon.
But although desire cannot be imparted by argument, it can be by contagion.
The Real Memorial Day: Oliver Wendell Holmes's Salute To A Momentous American AnniversaryMalcolm Jones
May 26, 2014
In fact, we have been inoculated from the experience of contagion.
Historical Examples
He had caught the contagion of her mood and vague alarm swept him.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
I see already that from the world, vile as it is, you have nothing of contagion to fear.
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
The old sores which are bathed have nothing to fear, and offer no risk of contagion.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
The very spectacle of that form which I had learned to love is mildew and contagion to my eyes.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
When the cure is effected, let the clothes be carefully fumigated with sulphur, or the contagion will again be communicated.
contagion
- 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
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Word Origin
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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Word Origin and History for contagion
n.
late 14c., from Old French contagion, from Latin contagionem (nominative contagio) "a touching, contact, contagion," related to contingere "touch closely" (see contact (n.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
contagion
(kən-tā′jən)- 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.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.