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contagious

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The definition of contagious is something that is spread, or that can be spread between people or animals.

(adjective)

An example of contagious is an illness that can spread by touching someone's hand and coming into contact with his germs.
An example of contagious is a negative attitude which is likely to spread through a group of people and poison the group as a whole.

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See contagious in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

spread by direct or indirect contact; communicable: said of diseases
carrying, or liable to transmit, the causative agent of a contagious disease
for the care of contagious patients
spreading or tending to spread from person to person: contagious laughter

Origin: OFr contagieus < LL contagiosus

Related Forms:

contagiously adverb
contagiousness noun

See contagious in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of or relating to contagion.
Transmissible by direct or indirect contact; communicable: a contagious disease.
Capable of transmitting disease; carrying a disease: stayed at home until he was no longer contagious.
Spreading or tending to spread from one to another; infectious: a contagious smile.

Related Forms:

con·taˈgious·ly adverb

con·taˈgious·ness noun

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