Part 2336

<cs><col>Contact level</col>, <cd>a delicate level so pivoted as to tilt when two parts of a measuring apparatus come into contact with each other; -- used in precise determinations of lengths and in the accurate graduation of instruments.</cd></cs>

<h1>Contaction</h1> <Xpage=311>

<hw>Con*tac"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Act of touching.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Contagion</h1> <Xpage=311>

<hw>Con*ta"gion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>contagio</ets>: cf. F. <ets>contagion</ets>. See <er>Contact</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Med.)</fld> <def>The transmission of a disease from one person to another, by direct or indirect contact.</def>

<note>&hand; The term has been applied by some to the action of miasmata arising from dead animal or vegetable matter, bogs, fens, etc., but in this sense it is now abandoned.</note>

<i>Dunglison.</i>

<blockquote>And will he steal out of his wholesome bed To dare the vile <b>contagion</b> of the night? <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>That which serves as a medium or agency to transmit disease; a virus produced by, or exhalation proceeding from, a diseased person, and capable of reproducing the disease.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>The act or means of communicating any influence to the mind or heart; <as>as, the <ex>contagion</ex> of enthusiasm</as>.</def> "The <i>contagion</i> of example."

<i>Eikon Basilike.</i>

<blockquote>When lust . . . Lets in defilement to the inward parts, The soul grows clotted by <b>contagion</b>. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Venom; poison.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "I'll touch my point with this <i>contagion</i>."

<i>Shak.</i>

<syn>Syn. -- See <er>Infection</er>.</syn>

<h1>Contagioned</h1> <Xpage=311>

<hw>Con*ta"gioned</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Affected by contagion.</def>

<h1>Contagionist</h1> <Xpage=311>

<hw>Con*ta"gion*ist</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who believes in the contagious character of certain diseases, as of yellow fever.</def>

<h1>Contagious</h1> <Xpage=311>

<hw>Con*ta"gious</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>contagiosus</ets>: cf. F. <ets>contagieux</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Med.)</fld> <def>Communicable by contact, by a virus, or by a bodily exhalation; catching; <as>as, a <ex>contagious</ex> disease</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Conveying or generating disease; pestilential; poisonous; <as>as, <ex>contagious</ex> air</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Spreading or communicable from one to another; exciting similar emotions or conduct in others.</def>

<blockquote>His genius rendered his courage more <b>contagious</b>. <i>Wirt.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The spirit of imitation is <b>contagious</b>. <i>Ames.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- <er>Contagious</er>, <er>Infectious</er>.</syn> <usage> These words have been used in very diverse senses; but, in general, a <i>contagious</i> disease has considered as one which is caught from another by contact, by the breath, by bodily effluvia, etc.; while an <i>infectious</i> disease supposes some entirely different cause acting by a hidden influence, like the miasma of prison ships, of marshes, etc., <i>infecting</i> 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 <i>contagious</i> influence of evil associates; their <i>contagion</i> of bad example, the <i>contagion</i> of fear, etc., when we refer to transmission by proximity or contact. On the other hand, we speak of <i>infection</i> by bad principles, etc., when we consider anything as diffused by some hidden influence.</usage>

<h1>Contagiously</h1> <Xpage=311>

<hw>Con*ta"gious*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In a contagious manner.</def>