CONTAGIOUSLY

contagiously, infectiously

(adverb) in a contagious manner; “she was contagiously bubbly”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adverb

contagiously (comparative more contagiously, superlative most contagiously)

In a contagious manner

Source: Wiktionary


Con*ta"gious*ly, adv.

Definition: In a contagious manner.

CONTAGIOUS

Con*ta"gious, a. Etym: [L. contagiosus: cf. F. contagieux.]

1. (Med.)

Definition: Communicable by contact, by a virus, or by a bodily exhalation; catching; as, a contagious disease.

2. Conveying or generating disease; pestilential; poisonous; as, contagious air.

3. Spreading or communicable from one to another; exciting similar emotions or conduct in others. His genius rendered his courage more contagious. Wirt. The spirit of imitation is contagious. Ames.

Syn.

– Contagious, Infectious. These words have been used in very diverse senses; but, in general, a contagious disease has considered as one which is caught from another by contact, by the breath, by bodily effluvia, etc.; while an infectious disease supposes some entirely different cause acting by a hidden influence, like the miasma of prison ships, of marshes, etc., infecting the system with disease. "This distinction, though not universally admitted by medical men, as to the literal meaning, of the words, certainly applies to them in their figurative use. Thus we speak of the contagious influence of evil associates; their contagion of bad example, the contagion of fear, etc., when we refer to transmission by proximity or contact. On the other hand, we speak of infection by bad principles, etc., when we consider anything as diffused by some hidden influence.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

19 May 2025

CHEMICAL

(adjective) of or made from or using substances produced by or used in reactions involving atomic or molecular changes; “chemical fertilizer”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee has initially been a food – chewed, not sipped. Early African tribes consume coffee by grinding the berries together, adding some animal fat, and rolling the treats into tiny edible energy balls.

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