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| con·ta·gion [ kən táyjən ] (plural con·ta·gions) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. spread of disease by physical contact: the transmission of disease, especially by physical contact between people or contact with infected objects such as bedding or clothing
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2. disease spread by physical contact: an illness that spreads from one person to another, especially by physical contact between persons or contact with infected objects
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3. harmful influence: a harmful or corrupting influence with a tendency to spread
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4. spread of feeling: the spreading of an attitude or emotion from person to person among a number of people
(
literary
)
 the contagion of happiness
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| [14th century. < Latin contagion-< contingere (see contact)] |