Lewis & Short

2. contactus, ūs, m. [1. contingo] (except once in Sall., perh. not ante-Aug.), a touching, touch, contact.

  1. I. In gen., Verg. A. 3, 227; Ov. M. 4, 52; 11, 111; Col. 11, 3, 50; Plin. 8, 15, 16, § 40; 33, 7, 40, § 122; in plur.: viriles, Ov. M. 7, 239.
  2. II. Esp., a touching of something unclean, a contagion, infection.
    1. A. Prop., Liv. 4, 30, 8; 25, 26, 8; Tac. A. 4, 49; 6, 7.
    2. B. Trop. (several times in Tac.): neu patiamini licentiam scelerum, quasi tabem, ad integros contactu procedere, Sall. H. 1, 48, 9 Dietsch; Sen. Ira, 2, 21, 4: oculos a contactu dominationis inviolatos habebamus, Tac. Agr. 30; so, contactu valentiorum, id. H. 1, 11.
      Absol.: discedite a contactu ac dividite turbidos, Tac. A. 1, 43: contactu bellum meditari, id. H. 2, 60.