contagion

[ kuhn-tey-juhn ]

noun

1. the communication of disease by direct or indirect contact.
2. a disease so communicated.
3. the medium by which a contagious disease is transmitted.
4. harmful or undesirable contact or influence.
5. the ready transmission or spread as of an idea or emotion from person to person:

   a contagion of fear.

contagion

/ kənˈteɪdʒən /

noun

1. the transmission of disease from one person to another by direct or indirect contact
2. a contagious disease
3. another name for contagium
4. a corrupting or harmful influence that tends to spread; pollutant
5. the spreading of an emotional or mental state among a number of people

   the contagion of mirth

contagion

/ kən-tā′jən /

1. The transmission of an infectious disease resulting from direct or indirect contact between individuals or animals.
2. A disease that is transmitted in this way.
3. The agent that causes a contagious disease, such as a bacterium or a virus.

Other Words From

• con·tagioned adjective
• noncon·tagion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contagion¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin contāgiōn- (stem of contāgiō ) contact, infection, equivalent to con- con- + tāg- (variant stem of tangere to touch) + -iōn- -ion; contact

Word History and Origins

Origin of contagion¹

C14: from Latin contāgiō a touching, infection, from contingere; see contact

Example Sentences

She adds that "the vampire's always been linked very strongly with disease, with contagion," adding that if we look back in history we can see that our interest in the immortal monster seems to pique around times of mass disease.

From BBC

The academic adds that this is "really important to why vampires are so popular and on trend now, when you think of Nosferatu and its link to the plague, post Covid we're very interested in the vampire as contagion."

From BBC

Think of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the films “Contagion” and “Outbreak” trended on streaming platforms as people around the world sheltered at home.

From Salon

It states that Israeli evacuation orders have forced 1.7 million people into the narrow, coastal al-Mawasi area where they are at “high risk of lethal contagion” due to extreme overcrowding, and that humanitarian organisations report that their survival needs cannot be met.

From BBC

The contagion and the moral disengagement it causes provokes cruelty and obedience.

From Salon

Related Words

• contamination
• illness
• pollution
• virus