contagious

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   capable of being transmitted from one person or organism to another, especially through direct or indirect contact

   Chickenpox is highly contagious before the rash fully appears.

2. 2
   adj

   likely to spread quickly from person to person as an emotion, attitude, or behavior

   Her contagious enthusiasm soon energized the whole team.

From Old French contagieus and Late Latin contagiosus, from Latin contagio ("contact, infection"). The figurative sense treats feelings and behavior as if they could pass between people like disease.

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