transmission

views updated May 23 2018

transmission
1. (in neurophysiology) The one-way transfer of a nerve impulse from one neuron to another across a synapse. See also neurotransmitter. Compare propagation.

2. (in medicine) The spread of an infection from person to person. This can occur in various ways, such as close contact with an infected person, including sexual contact (see sexually transmitted disease); contact with a vector or a carrier of the disease; consuming food or drink contaminated with the infecting microorganism; and breathing in contaminated droplets of moisture, produced by coughing and sneezing.

transmission

views updated May 29 2018

trans·mis·sion / transˈmishən; tranz-/ • n. 1. the action or process of transmitting something or the state of being transmitted: the transmission of the HIV virus. ∎  a program or signal that is broadcast or sent out: television transmissions.2. the mechanism by which power is transmitted from an engine to the wheels of a motor vehicle.