contagium

noun

con·​ta·​gium kən-ˈtā-j(ē-)əm How to pronounce contagium (audio)
plural contagia kən-ˈtā-j(ē-)ə How to pronounce contagium (audio)
: an agent capable of causing a communicable disease

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin contāgium, variant of contāgiō "contact, contagion"

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contagium was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near contagium

Cite this Entry

“Contagium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contagium. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

contagium

noun
con·​ta·​gium kən-ˈtā-j(ē-)əm How to pronounce contagium (audio)
plural contagia -j(ē-)ə How to pronounce contagium (audio)
: a virus or living organism capable of causing a communicable disease

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