epidemic
Etymology

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

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk/
Noun

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?
Antonyms Translations Translations Adjective

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.
Translations


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