contagion
UK: kənˈteɪdʒən | US: kənˈteɪdʒən
n. the transmission of a disease from one person to another by direct or indirect contact
n. a harmful or corrupting influence that spreads easily
n. (archaic) a contagious disease
The word "contagion" traces back to Latin contagio (from con- "with" + tangere "to touch"), reflecting the idea of disease spreading through physical contact. The root tag (from tangere) appears in related words like "tangible" (able to be touched) and "contiguous" (touching boundaries). Over time, "contagion" expanded metaphorically to describe non-physical influences (e.g., emotions, ideas) that spread similarly to diseases.
The hospital implemented strict measures to prevent contagion.
Fear spread through the crowd like a contagion.
In medieval times, contagion was often blamed on miasma.
Social media can accelerate the contagion of misinformation.
The doctor studied the contagion patterns of the virus.