2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Contagion  \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}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  contagion 
  n  1:  any  disease  easily  transmitted  by  contact  [syn:  {contagious 
  disease}] 
  2:  an  incident  is  which  an  infectious  disease  is  transmitted 
  [syn:  {infection},  {transmission}] 

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