contagion /kən-tāˈjən/

1. Transmission of a disease by direct contact with an infected person or object
2. A disease or poison transmitted in this way
3. The means of transmission
4. The transmission of an emotional state, eg excitement
5. A harmful influence

contāˈgionist noun (obsolete)

A person who believes in the contagiousness of certain diseases

contāˈgious adjective

1. (of disease) communicable by ordinary social contact (cf infectious)
2. Carrying disease or other contagion
3. Noxious (obsolete)
4. Spreading easily (figurative; informal)

contāˈgiously adverb

contāˈgiousness noun

• boastfulnesses
• boasting
• boastings
• boastless
• boasts
• boat
• boatbill
• boatbills
• boat-builder
• boat-builders
• boat deck
• boat decks
• boated
• boatel
• boatels
• boater
• boaters
• boat-flies
• boat-fly
• boathook
• boathooks
• boathouse
• boathouses
• boatie
• boaties