contagiously
dʒəs adjective
1.
capable of being transmitted by bodily contact with an infected person or object: contagious diseases.
2.
carrying or spreading a contagious disease.
3.
tending to spread from person to person: contagious laughter.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin contāgiōsus, equivalent to contāgi(ō) contagion + -ōsus -ous
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin contāgiōsus, equivalent to contāgi(ō) contagion + -ōsus -ous
Related forms
con·ta·gious·ly, adverb
an·ti·con·ta·gious, adjective
an·ti·con·ta·gious·ly, adverb
an·ti·con·ta·gious·ness, noun
non·con·ta·gious, adjective
non·con·ta·gious·ly, adverb
non·con·ta·gious·ness, noun
un·con·ta·gious, adjective
un·con·ta·gious·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. Contagious, infectious are usually distinguished in technical medical use. Contagious literally “communicable by contact,” describes a very easily transmitted disease as influenza or the common cold. Infectious refers to a disease involving a microorganism that can be transmitted from one person to another only by a specific kind of contact; venereal diseases are usually infectious. In nontechnical senses, contagious emphasizes the rapidity with which something spreads: Contagious laughter ran through the hall. Infectious suggests the pleasantly irresistible quality of something: Her infectious good humor made her a popular guest.
1. Contagious, infectious are usually distinguished in technical medical use. Contagious literally “communicable by contact,” describes a very easily transmitted disease as influenza or the common cold. Infectious refers to a disease involving a microorganism that can be transmitted from one person to another only by a specific kind of contact; venereal diseases are usually infectious. In nontechnical senses, contagious emphasizes the rapidity with which something spreads: Contagious laughter ran through the hall. Infectious suggests the pleasantly irresistible quality of something: Her infectious good humor made her a popular guest.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To contagiously
00:10
Contagiously
is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
contagious (kənˈteɪdʒəs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | Compare infectious (of a disease) capable of being passed on by direct contact with a diseased individual or by handling clothing, etc, contaminated with the causative agent |
| 2. | (of an organism) harbouring or spreading the causative agent of a transmissible disease |
| 3. | causing or likely to cause the same reaction or emotion in several people; catching; infectious: her laughter was contagious |
| con'tagiously | |
| —adv | |
| con'tagiousness | |
| —n | |
| contagious (kənˈteɪdʒəs) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | Compare infectious (of a disease) capable of being passed on by direct contact with a diseased individual or by handling clothing, etc, contaminated with the causative agent |
| 2. | (of an organism) harbouring or spreading the causative agent of a transmissible disease |
| 3. | causing or likely to cause the same reaction or emotion in several people; catching; infectious: her laughter was contagious |
| con'tagiously | |
| —adv | |
| con'tagiousness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
contagious
late 14c., from O.Fr. contagieus, from L.L. contagiosus, from contingere "touch closely" (see contact).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
contagious con·ta·gious (kən-tā'jəs)
adj.
Of or relating to contagion.
Transmissible by direct or indirect contact; communicable.
Capable of transmitting disease; carrying a disease.
con·ta'gious·ness n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
contagious  (kən-tā'jəs) Pronunciation Key
Our Living Language : A contagious disease is one that can be transmitted from one living being to another through direct or indirect contact. Thus the flu, which can be transmitted by coughing, and cholera, which is often acquired by drinking contaminated water, are contagious diseases. Although infectious is also used to refer to such diseases, it has a slightly different meaning in that it refers to diseases caused by infectious agents—agents such as viruses and bacteria that are not normally present in the body and can cause an infection. While the notion of contagiousness goes back to ancient times, the idea of infectious diseases is more modern, coming from the germ theory of disease, which was not proposed until the later nineteenth century. Contagious and infectious are also used to refer to people who have communicable diseases at a stage at which transmission to others is likely. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Nearby Words
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