Epidemically

ep·i·dem·ic  (p-dmk) also ep·i·dem·i·cal (--kl)

adj.

1. Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or a population at the same time: an epidemic outbreak of influenza.

2. Widely prevalent: epidemic discontent.

n.

1. An outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely.

2. A rapid spread, growth, or development: an unemployment epidemic.

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[French épidémique, from épidémie, an epidemic, from Old French espydymie, from Medieval Latin epidmia, from Greek epidmi, prevalence of an epidemic disease, from epidmos, prevalent : epi-, epi- + dmos, people; see d- in Indo-European roots.]

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epi·demi·cal·ly adv.