| 词组 | contagious, infectious |
| 释义 | contagious, infectious Several usage books, including Bryson 1984, Phythian 1979, Bremner 1980, Copperud 1970, 1980, and Shaw 1975, inform us that contagious diseases are spread by contact and infectious diseases by infectious agents. All contagious diseases are also infectious, but not all infectious diseases are contagious. Not many writers are likely to need to worry about the medical distinction between contagious and infectious; if they do, they can always consult a good dictionary, where the distinction will be made clear. Shaw, however, goes beyond the technical to the figurative uses. Contagious, he says, emphasizes speed while infectious emphasizes irresistible force. Bremner likes this distinction; on the other hand, Bryson sees no difference between the two when used figuratively. Our evidence from the past 15 or 20 years suggests that Bryson is closer to the mark. If there is a distinction in recent use, it is this: contagious can be used of pleasant and unpleasant things, but infectious is almost always used of pleasant things. • ... European leaders felt terrorism could become contagious —Edward Girardet, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 1980 • ... put an end to contagious ideological heresy — John Darnton, N.Y. Times Mag., 13 Apr. 1980 • ... disturbed behavior is highly contagious —Constance Holden, Science, 17 Aug. 1973 • ... the tremendous excitement he generated, an excitement that was contagious —Thelma Nason, Johns Hopkins Mag., February 1970 • ... the women's enthusiasm so contagious, that I for one could not keep my heart from beating faster — Germaine Greer, Harper's, October 1972 • ... radiating energy and vitality, a magnetic, irresistible current of warmth and contagious good humor —Tad Szulc, N. Y. Times Mag., 27 May 1979 • ... a languid lyricism and elegance which proved highly infectious —Times Literary Supp., 18 June 1971 • ... a freckled, impish face whose infectious grin reveals widely spaced teeth —Patrick O'Higgins, Cosmopolitan, July 1972 • ... with an enthusiasm that can be infectious — Tony Schwartz, N. Y. Times Book Rev., 9 Dec. 1979 • His temperament was as fiery as his red hair, and his vitality was infectious —John Walker, Atlantic, February 1972 |
| 随便看 |
英语用法大全包含2888条英语用法指南，基本涵盖了全部常用英文词汇及语法点的翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。