Dictionary of English - infectious or contagious

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In medical terms, an infectious disease is one spread by germs: Typhoid and typhus are both highly infectious diseases. In figurative terms, the word is used of something irresistibly catching: Her infectious laughter brightened the meal.

Medically, contagious is used of a disease spread by bodily contact: Scarlet fever is a contagious disease formerly known as scarlatina. Figuratively, the word is used of something that spreads rapidly: His enthusiasm for the project was contagious, and we soon joined in.

White stands for Islam, peace, optimism, light, and love. Red recalls the martyrs of Sudan and the people's struggle. Black stands for Sudan and the Mahdiya revolution of the 1880s. Effective date: 20 May 1970. >>