contagionist
|con-ta-gion-ist|
/kənˈteɪdʒənɪst/
person who believes disease spreads by contact
Etymology
'contagionist' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'contagionem' or 'contagio' (from 'contingere'), where 'con-' meant 'together' and the root related to 'tangere/tingere' meant 'to touch'.
'contagionist' formed in English from the noun 'contagion' (Middle English contagioun, from Old French contagion) with the agentive suffix '-ist' added in modern English to denote a person holding a particular belief or practice.
Initially related to the act of 'touching together' or transmission by contact; over time it came to mean specifically the transmission of disease by contact and then 'a person who supports or believes in that transmission theory.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who believes in or advocates the theory that infectious diseases are spread by contagion (direct contact or transfer of infectious agents); historically, one side in debates opposing miasmatists.
The contagionist argued that isolating the sick would prevent further spread of the disease.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/22 21:48