backwash
EnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionaryf an influence (such as a doctrine or emotional state)
: an influence that spreads rapidly
EnglishMerriam-Webster DictionaryExamples
- //a disease that spreads by contagion
- //People have been warned to keep out of the area to avoid contagion.
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1aHistory and Etymology
Middle English contagioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contagiun, borrowed from Latin contāgiōn, contāgiō "contact, contact resulting in disease, infection, pollution," from contag-, variant stem of contingere "to be in contact with, arrive at, affect, fall to one's lot" + -iōn-, -iō, suffix of action nouns formed from compound verbs — more at contingent entry 1NOTE: The vowel length in contāgiō is unexpected and difficult to explain; a similarly lengthened vowel is found in other deverbal derivatives with -ag- as a second member (compāgēs "bond, joint," from pangere, ambāgēs "circuitous path," from agere; see agent, pact).
contagion
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
- sickness that can be passed from one person, plant, or animal to another //The rumors spread like a contagion.Synonyms & Near Synonyms
Examples
- //a disease that spreads by contagion
- //People have been warned to keep out of the area to avoid contagion.
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1aHistory and Etymology
Middle English contagioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contagiun, borrowed from Latin contāgiōn, contāgiō "contact, contact resulting in disease, infection, pollution," from contag-, variant stem of contingere "to be in contact with, arrive at, affect, fall to one's lot" + -iōn-, -iō, suffix of action nouns formed from compound verbs — more at contingent entry 1NOTE: The vowel length in contāgiō is unexpected and difficult to explain; a similarly lengthened vowel is found in other deverbal derivatives with -ag- as a second member (compāgēs "bond, joint," from pangere, ambāgēs "circuitous path," from agere; see agent, pact).
contagion
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
- sickness that can be passed from one person, plant, or animal to another //The rumors spread like a contagion.Synonyms & Near Synonyms