Invasion by and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in a bodily part or tissue, which may produce subsequent tissue injury and progress to overt disease through a variety of cellular or toxic mechanisms.
An instance of being infected.
An agent or a contaminated substance responsible for one's becoming infected.
The pathological state resulting from having been infected.
Moral contamination or corruption.
Ready communication of an emotion or attitude by contact or example.
An infectious disease.
Moral contamination or corruption.
Ready communication of an emotion or attitude by contact or example.
the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms
2.
(phonetics) the alteration of a speech sound under the influence of a neighboring sound
3.
(medicine) the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms and their multiplication which can lead to tissue damage and disease
4.
an incident in which an infectious disease is transmitted
5.
the communication of an attitude or emotional state among a number of people; "a contagion of mirth"; "the infection of his enthusiasm for poetry" [syn: contagion]
6.
moral corruption or contamination; "ambitious men are led astray by an infection that is almost unavoidable"
7.
(international law) illegality that taints or contaminates a ship or cargo rendering it liable to seizure
infectionAudio Help (ĭn-fěk'shən) Pronunciation Key
The invasion of the body of a human or an animal by a pathogen such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus. Infections can be localized, as in pharyngitis, or widespread as in sepsis, and are often accompanied by fever and an increased number of white blood cells. Individuals with immunodeficiency syndromes are predisposed to certain infections. See also infectious disease, opportunistic infection.
Con*ta"gion\, n. [L. contagio: cf. F. contagion. See Contact.]1. (Med.) The transmission of a disease from one person to another, by direct or indirect contact. Note: The term has been applied by some to the action of miasmata arising from dead animal or vegetable matter, bogs, fens, etc., but in this sense it is now abandoned. --Dunglison. And will he steal out of his wholesome bed To dare the vile contagion of the night? --Shak. 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; as, the contagion of enthusiasm. "The contagion of example." --Eikon Basilike. When lust . . . Lets in defilement to the inward parts, The soul grows clotted by contagion. --Milton. 4. Venom; poison. [Obs.] "I'll touch my point with this contagion." --Shak. Syn: See Infection.
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