contagium

American  

[kuhn-tey-juhm, -jee-uhm] / kənˈteɪ dʒəm, -dʒi əm /

noun

Pathology.

plural

contagia

1. the causative agent of a contagious or infectious disease, as a virus.

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contagium British  

/ kənˈteɪdʒɪəm /

noun

1. pathol the specific virus or other direct cause of any infectious disease

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Etymology

Origin of contagium

1645–55; < Latin, equivalent to contāg- ( contagion ) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

They believe that the "lungs are the favorite breeding-ground of the contagium."

From Project Gutenberg

ETIOLOGY.—The contagium of r�theln is unknown, but that the disease is contagious has been fully demonstrated by numerous observations of epidemics and sporadic cases.

From Project Gutenberg

ETIOLOGY.—While it is more than probable that, like the other diseases of the zymotic class, mumps is due to a contagium that finds its way into the body in the inspired air or with the food or drink, nothing is known of the nature of this infecting principle.

From Project Gutenberg

A freezing temperature ordinarily destroys the contagium of yellow fever.

From Project Gutenberg

Little has been said either of the nature of the contagium or of the conditions that modify its activity.

From Project Gutenberg