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contagio

contagion

noun kon-TAH-joh Rare
Body & Health Health & Illness

Origin: Latin contagium (contact, infection), from contingere (to touch).

Also means

infection

Usage Note

Contagio refers to the transmission of disease by contact — rischio di contagio (risk of contagion). It is also used figuratively for the spread of fear, panic, or trends (contagio finanziario). The plural is contagi. Do not confuse with contagioso (contagious, the adjective) or contaminazione (contamination, which implies a pollutant rather than a living pathogen).

Examples

"Bisogna prevenire il contagio del virus."

Natural Translation

It is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.

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