ETYM Latin contagio: cf. French contagion. Related to Contact.
1. The transmission of a disease from one person to another, by direct or indirect contact.
2. That which serves as a medium or agency to transmit disease; a virus produced by, or exhalation proceeding from, a diseased person, and capable of reproducing the disease.
3. The act or means of communicating any influence to the mind or heart.
4. Venom; poison.