contagion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the communication of an attitude or emotional state among a number of people

   a contagion of mirth

2. 2
   noun

   The spread of anything likened to a contagious disease.

   It is true, they were a good-natured and respectable set of servants, who had lived so long in their places that they might be said, by a happy contagion, to have caught kindly feelings from their superiors, and, having assisted in saving the lives of the young ladies, gave them an interest in their pleasures, and a real delight in seeing those fair young faces lighted up with joy.

3. 3
   noun

   an incident in which an infectious disease is transmitted

4. 4
   noun

   any disease easily transmitted by contact

5. 5
   noun

   A disease spread by contact.

6. 6
   noun

   The spread or transmission of such a disease.

7. 7
   noun

   A recession or crisis developed in such manner.

Etymology

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