epidemic
[ep-i-dem-ik]
- Also ep·i·dem·i·cal. (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.
- extremely prevalent; widespread.
Show More
- a temporary prevalence of a disease.
- a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something: an epidemic of riots.
Show More
Origin of epidemic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for epidemical
Historical Examples
It appears often in the epidemical form and spreads by contagion.
The Eugenic Marriage, Volume IV. (of IV.)Grant Hague
But there was raging then a sort of epidemical belief in native deficiency and in the absolute necessity of importing art talent.
Art in EnglandDutton Cook
First, the physicians are to take care that they do nothing to irritate this epidemical distemper.
This disease exactly resembled that which was so epidemical in the year 1733.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)Charles Creighton
I am charmed to see a part of your Majesty's Dominions in a state of Pyrrhonism; the disease is epidemical here at present.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XII. (of XXI.)Thomas Carlyle
epidemic
- (esp of a disease) attacking or affecting many persons simultaneously in a community or area
Show More
- a widespread occurrence of a diseasean influenza epidemic
- a rapid development, spread, or growth of something, esp something unpleasantan epidemic of strikes
Show More
Word Origin
C17: from French épidémique, via Late Latin from Greek epidēmia literally: among the people, from epi- + dēmos people
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for epidemical
epidemic
epidemic
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
epidemic
(ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk)- Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or population at the same time, as of a disease or illness.
Show More
- An outbreak or unusually high occurrence of a disease or illness in a population or area.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
epidemic
[ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk]
- An outbreak of a disease or illness that spreads rapidly among individuals in an area or population at the same time. See also endemic pandemic.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
epidemic
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.
Show More
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.