infection Copy link Outline I. Lit.1. contāgio, ōnis, f.; s. contāgium, i (the latter esp. poet.)2. contactus, ūs (by touch)II. Fig. • infection: I. Lit.: 1. contāgio, ōnis, f.; s. contāgium, i (the latter esp. poet.): to be spread by i., contagione vulgari (v. to infect): sheep are especially liable to i., praecipue oves contagione vexantur, Col. 7, 5. 2. contactus, ūs (by touch): cf. Liv. 4, 30, vulgati contactu in homines morbi. Phr.: to prevent i., ne (morbidi) aliis tabem afferant, Col. 6, 5. II. Fig.: contāgio: the i. of that fanaticism has spread, superstitionis illius c. pervagata est, Plin. Ep. 10, 96 (97): Cic.