— contagioned , adj.
/keuhn tay"jeuhn/ , n.
1. the communication of disease by direct or indirect contact.
2. a disease so communicated.
3. the medium by which a contagious disease is transmitted.
4. harmful or undesirable contact or influence.
5. the ready transmission or spread as of an idea or emotion from person to person: a contagion of fear.
[ 1350-1400; ME ( contagion- (s. of contagio ) contact, infection, equiv. to con- CON- + tag- (var. s. of tangere to touch) + -ion- -ION; cf. CONTACT ]