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Incubation vs Contagious - What's the difference?

incubation | contagious |

As a noun incubation

is sitting on eggs for the purpose of hatching young; a brooding on, or keeping warm, to develop the life within, by any process.

As an adjective contagious is

of a disease, easily transmitted to others.

incubation

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Sitting on eggs for the purpose of hatching young; a brooding on, or keeping warm, to develop the life within, by any process.
  • (pathology) The development of a disease from its causes, or its period of incubation. (See below.)
  • (chemistry) A period of little reaction which is followed by more rapid reaction.
  • Sleeping in a temple or other holy place in order to have oracular dreams.
  • * 1978 , Benjamin Walker, Encyclopedia of Metaphysical Medicine , Routledge 1978, p. 144:
  • Incubation in the vicinity of burial places, cremation grounds, holy wells and sacred streams was common. The ancient Hebrews visited vaults or slept among tombs to get meaningful dreams.

    Derived terms

    * incubation period

    contagious

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of a disease, easily transmitted to others.
  • The flu was so contagious that everybody in town got sick!
  • Of a fashion, laughter, etc., easily passed on to others.
  • Wearing jeans was a contagious fad at that time.
  • Of a person, having a disease that can be transmitted to another person by touch.
  • They were highly contagious , spreading bacteria to other people.

    Synonyms

    * (of a disease) catching, infectious * infectious

    Antonyms

    * non-contagious

    Derived terms

    * contagiousness * contagion