Contagion Definition

kən-tājən
noun
The spreading of disease from one individual to another by direct or indirect contact.
Webster's New World
Any disease thus spread; contagious disease.
Webster's New World
The causative agent of a communicable disease; bacteria or virus.
Webster's New World
Contagious quality.
Webster's New World
The spreading of an emotion, idea, custom, etc. from person to person until many are affected.
The contagion of mirth.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Contagion

Noun

Singular:
contagion
Plural:
contagions

Origin of Contagion

  • From Middle English (late 14th century), from Old French, from Latin contagio (“a touching, contact, contagion”) related to contingo (“touch closely”)

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English contagioun from Latin contāgiō contāgiōn- from contingere contāct- to touch contact

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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