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contagionthe spreading of a harmful disease to others by close contact

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the spreading of a harmful disease to others by close contact

Pronunciation (IPA): /kənˈteɪdʒən/

Example Sentences

  • His yawning caused a contagion of sleepiness throughout the boring meeting.
  • Social media can amplify the contagion of both good and bad news.
  • The contagion of laughter spread from table to table in the restaurant.

contagion

NOUN

[/kənˈteɪdʒən/]

the spreading of a harmful disease to others by close contact

The virus spread quickly through the school because of the contagion.
💡 Concept

The virus spread quickly through the school because of the contagion.

The hospital acted quickly to stop the contagion.
🧠 Mnemonic

The hospital acted quickly to stop the contagion.

The contagion spread like an invasion, so the patients entered isolation.
🎵 Rhyme

The contagion spread like an invasion, so the patients entered isolation.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kənˈteɪdʒən/
🇬🇧 UK/kənˈteɪdʒən/

🌳Etymology

Prefixcon--
Roottag
Suffix--ion

Origin

From Latin 'contagio' meaning 'a touching, contact.' The word originally described the spread of disease through physical contact, then expanded to mean any kind of spreading influence.

Breakdown

con- (together/with) + tag- (to touch) + -ion (noun suffix indicating action or condition)

🎵Rhyme

religionregionlegion
religion
region
legion

🔗Collocations

prevent contagion
risk of contagion
emotional contagion
contagion effect
financial contagion
spread contagion

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

His yawning caused a contagion of sleepiness throughout the boring meeting.

Social media can amplify the contagion of both good and bad news.

😄 Fun example

The contagion of laughter spread from table to table in the restaurant.

Healthcare workers wore protective gear to avoid contagion.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

infectiontransmissionspreadingepidemicoutbreak

Antonyms

isolationcontainmentprevention

Related

contagiousinfectiousvirusbacteriaquarantine

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