contagium

[kuhn-tey-juhm, -jee-uhm]

noun

Pathology.

plural

contagia 

1. the causative agent of a contagious or infectious disease, as a virus.

contagium

/ kənˈteɪdʒɪəm /

noun

1. pathol the specific virus or other direct cause of any infectious disease

Word History and Origins

Origin of contagium¹

1645–55; < Latin, equivalent to contāg- ( contagion ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of contagium¹

C17: from Latin, variant of contāgiō _contagion

Example Sentences

Furthermore, whether associated or not with an organic substance, the contagium of the disease is known to preserve the power of reproducing itself for a period lasting for weeks, months, and even a longer time.

From Project Gutenberg

The nature of the contagium in small-pox has been the subject of much speculation, careful investigation, and experiment, the results having established but few facts of any practical value.

From Project Gutenberg

That these minute bodies really constitute the virulent element of the lymph, or at least that they are the vehicle of the contagium, is not a mere matter of conjecture, but has been demonstrated abundantly, notably by Chauveau and Sanderson's diffusion experiments.

From Project Gutenberg

Richardson believes that the contagium was attached to the thatch, which could not be thoroughly disinfected.

From Project Gutenberg

There is good reason to believe that the contagium of zymotic diseases may produce a form of disease indistinguishable from ordinary puerperal septic�mia, and presenting none of the characteristic features of the specific complaint from which the contagium was derived.

From Project Gutenberg