epidemic

[ ep-i-dem-ik ]

adjective

1. Also epidemical. (of a disease) affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent. Compare pandemic ( def 1 ).
2. extremely prevalent; widespread.

noun

1. a temporary prevalence of a disease.
2. a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something:

   an epidemic of riots.

epidemic

/ ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk /

adjective

1. (esp of a disease) attacking or affecting many persons simultaneously in a community or area

noun

1. a widespread occurrence of a disease

   an influenza epidemic

2. a rapid development, spread, or growth of something, esp something unpleasant

   an epidemic of strikes

epidemic

/ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk /

1. An outbreak of a disease or illness that spreads rapidly among individuals in an area or population at the same time.
2. See also endemic

epidemic

1. A contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely among the population in an area. Immunization and quarantine are two of the methods used to control an epidemic.

Derived Forms

• ˌepiˈdemically, adverb

Other Words From

• ep·i·dem·i·cal·ly adverb
• ep·i·de·mic·i·ty [ep-i-d, uh, -, mis, -i-tee], noun
• in·ter·ep·i·dem·ic adjective
• pre·ep·i·dem·ic noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epidemic¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; obsolete epidem(y) (from Late Latin epidēmia, from Greek epidēmía “staying in one place, among the people,” equivalent to epi- epi- + dêm(os) “people of a district” + -ia -y ³ ) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of epidemic¹

C17: from French épidémique, via Late Latin from Greek epidēmia literally: among the people, from epi- + dēmos people

Example Sentences

While public interest in Ebola continues to dwindle, the epidemic itself continues to soar.

From The Daily Beast

With a mortality rate of 70 percent, the more cases that arise, the deadlier this epidemic becomes.

From The Daily Beast

Has L.A. figured out how to stop the epidemic it set loose on the world?

From The Daily Beast

In mid-summer, as the epidemic swept through the region, schools closed one by one.

From The Daily Beast

Rape and sexual assault may be less of an epidemic than other studies suggest.

From The Daily Beast

Added to this, an epidemic of cholera had just broken out in the town, and the childrens maid nearly fell a victim to the disease.

From Project Gutenberg

Hardly had the boys mother left St. Petersburg, when an epidemic of scarlet fever broke out in the school.

From Project Gutenberg

At his instigation a persecution of unprecedented virulence raged like an epidemic throughout the empire.

From Project Gutenberg

In Richmond alone, approximately eight hundred people succumbed during this epidemic period.

From Project Gutenberg

For example, a dreadful influenza epidemic occurred followed by a severe fuel shortage due to a railroad strike.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contagion
• outbreak
• pest
• plague
• rash
• scourge
• spread
• wave