[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The state or quality of being contagious (in the different senses of the word): a. lit.
1530. Palsgr., 208/1. Contagiousnesse, infection.
1580. Baret, Alv., S 760. The contagiousnesse [vis morbi] of the disease did spread far abroad.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., Diuerse new Exp., 84. Howe to keepe … anie fowle or other peece of flesh sounde and sweete … notwithstanding the contagiousnesse of the weather.
1685. Boyle, Salubr. Air, 93. Put a speedy stop, not only to the contagiousness, but to the malignity of the Plague.
1875. Ziemssen’s Cycl. Med., I. 468. No intelligent observer has yet doubted the contagiousness of typhus fever, small-pox, etc.
b. fig.
1541. Barnes, Wks. (1573), 363/2. Wherfore flye from such contagiousnesse of men and auoid their wordes as a cancar.
1547. Homilies, I. Contention, I. (1859), 137. A railing tongue is a pestilence so full of contagiousness.
1648. W. Mountague, Devout Ess., 177 (T.). An excellent preservative against the contagiousness of sin.
1871. Smiles, Charac., i. 17. There is a contagiousness in every example of energetic conduct.
