EPIDEMIC

epidemic

(adjective) (especially of medicine) of disease or anything resembling a disease; attacking or affecting many individuals in a community or a population simultaneously; “an epidemic outbreak of influenza”

epidemic

(noun) a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

epidemic (plural epidemics)

A widespread disease that affects many individuals in a population.

(epidemiology) An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period.

Antonyms

• endemic

Adjective

epidemic (comparative more epidemic, superlative most epidemic)

Like or having to do with an epidemic; widespread

Synonyms

• common, ubiquitous; see also widespread

Antonyms

• endemic

Anagrams

• midpiece

Source: Wiktionary

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Ep`i*dem"ic, Ep`i*dem"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. epidemus, Gr. épidémique. Cf. Demagogue.]

1. (Med.)

Definition: Common to, or affecting at the same time, a large number in a community; -- applied to a disease which, spreading widely, attacks many persons at the same time; as, an epidemic disease; an epidemic catarrh, fever, etc. See Endemic.

2. Spreading widely, or generally prevailing; affecting great numbers, as an epidemic does; as, epidemic rage; an epidemic evil. It was the epidemical sin of the nation. Bp. Burnet.

Ep`i*dem"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. Epidemy.]

1. (Med.)

Definition: An epidemic disease.

2. Anything which takes possession of the minds of people as an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of terror.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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