direct transmission
- noun
- Specialized
:
transmisión directa
- The virus can spread through direct transmission when an infected person coughs or sneezes near someone else.
Examples
-
This outbreak was one of the first in the United States to involve direct transmission of E. coli O157:H7 from farm animals to humans, and it made national news.
Academic text (2003) -
Infection with Laboulbeniales through sexual contact is the most important type of direct transmission; it can therefore be referred to as a sexually transmitted disease.
Blog text (12) -
In the study setup, we addressed the vector and direct transmission routes for putative zoonotic transfer.
Academic text (2012) -
In this study setup, we addressed the vector and the direct transmission routes for putative zoonotic transfer.
Academic text (2012) -
Washing hands regularly helps prevent direct transmission of contagious diseases.
-
School outbreaks often occur due to direct transmission among students sharing close contact.
Antonyms
- Specialized
When germs spread to a person through a thing or animal instead of direct touch
How Direct
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase's meaning — spread of an infection by immediate physical contact — is directly derivable from 'direct' (immediate, no one between) + 'transmission' (passing an infection). This adj+noun composition is a transparent, compositional pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Direct transmission gives a clear image: direct means straight and transmission means sending, so imagine germs being sent straight from one person to another by touch, a cough, or a shared cup. That's why it means the 'spread' of sickness from one person to another without anything in between.
