CONTAGIOUS, adjective 1. Containing or generating contagion; catching; that may be communicated by contact, or by a subtil excreted matter; as a contagious disease. 2. Poisonous; pestilential; containing contagion; as contagious air; contagious clothing. 3. Containing mischief that may be propagated; as contagious example. 4. That may be communicated from one to another, or may excite like affections in others. His genius rendered his courage more contagious
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI