Webster's English Dictionary

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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