contagion

noun kohn-tah-ZHYOHN Rare

Also means

spread (of ideas)

Usage Note

Contagion is used both in medical contexts for the spread of disease and figuratively for the spread of ideas, emotions, or behaviour. The adjective contagieux/contagieuse is its common derivative. Par contagion means 'by contagion' or 'by a ripple effect'.

Examples

"La contagion s'est propagée rapidement."

Natural Translation

The contagion spread rapidly.

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