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contagious

con·ta·gious [ kən táyjəss ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. able to be passed by contact: transmitted from one person to another either by direct contact with the person or by indirect contact, e.g. contact with his or her clothes

2. capable of transmitting disease: affected by or carrying a disease that can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact

3. likely to affect others: quickly spread from one person to another
Laughter is contagious.

[14th century. < late Latin contagiosus< Latin contingere (see contact)]

con·ta·gious·ly adverb
con·ta·gious·ness noun
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