contagion
Meaning: The spreading of a disease or harmful influence from one person or thing to another through close contact. Also used figuratively for the rapid transmission of ideas, panic, or financial crises.
While the literal medical sense refers to the transmission of infectious disease, contagion is increasingly used metaphorically in economics ('financial contagion'), politics, and social psychology. It implies uncontrolled, cascading spread. The adjective 'contagious' is far more common in everyday speech, while 'contagion' as a noun tends to appear in formal analysis and commentary.
Examples
- Fears of financial contagion spread rapidly through European markets after the Greek default. 在希腊违约后,金融传染的恐慌迅速在欧洲市场蔓延。El temor al contagio financiero se propagó rápidamente por los mercados europeos tras el impago griego.ギリシャのデフォルト後、金融コンテイジョンへの恐怖が欧州市場を急速に駆け巡った。그리스의 채무불이행 이후 금융 전염에 대한 우려가 유럽 시장 전체에 급속히 퍼졌다.
- The contagion of panic swept through the crowd within seconds of the first explosion. 第一次爆炸发生后几秒内,恐慌的传染效应席卷了人群。El contagio del pánico se extendió entre la multitud en cuestión de segundos tras la primera explosión.最初の爆発が起きて数秒以内に、パニックの連鎖が群衆を襲った。첫 번째 폭발이 발생한 지 수초 만에 공포의 전염이 군중을 휩쓸었다.
- Public health officials warned that the contagion could not be contained without stricter quarantine measures. 公共卫生官员警告说,如果不采取更严格的隔离措施,这种传染将无法控制。Las autoridades sanitarias advirtieron de que el contagio no podría contenerse sin medidas de cuarentena más estrictas.公衆衛生当局は、より厳格な検疫措置なしにはその感染を封じ込めることはできないと警告した。공중보건 당국은 더 엄격한 격리 조치 없이는 전염을 억제할 수 없다고 경고했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: medical, financial, journalism
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin contagio (a touching, contact), from contingere (to touch closely). Entered English in the 14th century, initially referring exclusively to the spread of disease.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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