contagion
con.ta.gion \k*n-'ta--j*n\ n [ME, fr. MF & L; MF, fr. L contagion- contagio, fr. contingere to h]ave contact with, pollute 1a: the transmission of a disease by direct or indirect contact 1b: a contagious disease 1c: a disease-producing agent (as a virus) 2a: POISON 2b: contagious influence, quality, or nature 2c: corrupting influence or contact 3a: rapid communication of an influence (as a doctrine or emotional state) 3b: an influence that spreads rapidly