From French épidémique, from épidémie, from Medieval Latin epidēmia, reanalysis of plural Late Latin epidēmia, from Ancient Greek ἐπιδήμιος, from ἐπί + δῆμος.

• IPA: /ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk/

epidemic (plural epidemics)

1. A widespread disease that affects many individuals in a population.
2. (epidemiology) An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period; an episode of outbreak and subsequent high prevalence.
3. (by extension, colloquial) A heightened occurrence of anything harmful.
4. (figurative) The spreading of an idea or belief amongst a population.
   • 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC ↗, pages 98–99 ↗:

     Lord Avonleigh was at once liberated from his imprisonment, well prepared to be considered, and to consider himself, a martyr to the cause of loyalty; and as the services of the rich nobleman,...his claims to notice and favour were most graciously acknowledged. Accordingly, he returned to his seat in a little fever of royal devotedness—it was the fashionable epidemic; and who coming from Whitehall could be without it?

• endemic

• French: épidémie
• German: Epidemie, Seuche
• Italian: epidemia
• Portuguese: epidemia
• Russian: эпиде́мия
• Spanish: epidemia

• French: épidémie
• Portuguese: epidemia
• Russian: эпиде́мия
• Spanish: epidemia

epidemic

1. Like or having to do with an epidemic; widespread.

   Synonyms: common, ubiquitous, Thesaurus:widespread

   Antonyms: endemic

   Epidemic hysteria occurred upon the incumbent’s reelection.

• French: épidémique
• German: epidemisch
• Italian: epidemico

  Brazilian: epidêmico

  European: epidémico

• Russian: эпидеми́ческий
• Spanish: epidémico