noun
contagion
kun-TAY-jun/kənˈteɪdʒən/
The passing of an infection between organisms.
The diagram shows contagion as pathogens pass from one person to another.
Etymology
The pieces begin with touching together, but Latin contagio often meant contact with something physically or morally unclean. This harmful-contact sense connects touching with the transmission of disease or corrupting influence.
In context
peer influence is one of the great drivers of transgender identity so that's how it's a social contagion people look around at their peers and they see them identifying as lgbtq
More examples
- Staying home when you are sick helps prevent contagion.
- The shelter separates sick animals to limit contagion.
- Fear of contagion keeps some visitors away from the hospital.
Forms
contagion
contagious adjective — Able to spread from organism to organism.
Similar words
- transmission
- Transmission emphasizes how an infection passes between hosts.
- spread
- Spread emphasizes an infection reaching more individuals or places.