Dictionary of English - infectious or contagious
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infectious or contagious
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.
© RM 2009. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.
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