Noun: contagion kun'tey-jun
- The spread of a disease from one person or organism to another, typically through direct or indirect contact
"Researchers studied the contagion patterns of the new virus";
- infection, transmission
- Any disease easily transmitted by contact
"Cholera is a serious contagion that can spread rapidly in areas with poor sanitation";
- contagious disease
- The communication of an attitude or emotional state among a number of people
"a contagion of mirth";
- infection
Derived forms: contagions
Type of: communicable disease, communication, incident
Encyclopedia: Contagion