contagion

1. (figuratively, by extension) The spread of anything likened to a contagious disease.Examples: "It is true, they were a good-natured and respectable set of servants, who had lived so long in their places that they might be said, by a happy contagion, to have caught kindly feelings from their superiors, and, having assisted in saving the lives of the young ladies, gave them an interest in their pleasures, and a real delight in seeing those fair young faces lighted up with joy."broadlycountablefigurativelyuncountable

2. (figuratively, by extension) The spread of anything likened to a contagious disease.Examples: "And it was German procrastination that aggravated the Greek crisis and caused the contagion that turned it into an existential crisis for Europe."broadlycountablefigurativelyuncountable

3. (finance) A recession or crisis developed in such manner.countableuncountable