Vocabulary in context
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Contagion
The spread of a disease or harmful influence from person to person by close contact or through contaminated objects; also the disease itself in its process of spreading.
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Imagine This
Imagine a crowded subway car where one passenger coughs. In the minutes that follow, several other riders start showing symptoms, illustrating how contagion can spread from one person to another in a shared space.
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Sounds Like
kun-TAY-jən
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Looks Like
Looks like contagious (the related adjective) and hints at spread by contact.
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Remember This
Contagion is about spreading through contact or proximity. The noun describes the spread itself or the disease in motion; the adjective contagious describes something that can spread.
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Other Forms
contagiousadjective
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Connect With
infection, transmission, outbreak, epidemic, spread
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Note
Do not confuse contagion with poison or toxin. Contagion refers to transmission of disease or influence, not a chemical substance. In medical contexts, transmission mode (airborne, droplet, contact) is often specified.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The contagion spread quickly through the city after the festival.
- Public health officials traced the contagion to a contaminated surface and urged cleaning and quarantine measures.
Synonyms
infectiontransmissionoutbreakspread
Antonyms
immunityprotectionsafety
Etymology
From Latin contagio, from con- 'together' + tangere 'to touch' (the idea of touching together or transmission through contact).
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: Contagion = Contact + Action. Remember that contagion spreads through contact, turning contact into transmission.
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Innovation
nounThe act of introducing something new that adds value or improves how things are done; a new method, idea, device, or way of thinking.
Remote
adjectiveDistant in space or relationship; aloof or unfriendly in manner.
Redundant
adjectiveNot needed or useful due to being repetitive or duplicative; containing unnecessary repetition.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
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