epidemic

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.

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epidemic

Noun

1. a widespread occurrence of a disease

2. a rapid development or spread of something: an epidemic of rape

Adjective

(esp. of a disease) affecting many people in an area: stress has now reached epidemic proportions [Greek epi among + dēmos people]

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epidemic  (p-dmk)

An outbreak of a disease or illness that spreads rapidly among individuals in an area or population at the same time. See also endemicpandemic

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epidemic

a disease that is widely prevalent in a particular area. — epidemical, adj. — epidemicity, n.

See also: Disease and Illness

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	epidemic - a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time outbreak, irruption, eruption - a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition); "the outbreak of hostilities" pandemic - an epidemic that is geographically widespread; occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world
Adj.	1.	epidemic - (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" medical specialty, medicine - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques ecdemic - of or relating to a disease that originates outside the locality in which it occurs endemic, endemical - of or relating to a disease (or anything resembling a disease) constantly present to greater or lesser extent in a particular locality; "diseases endemic to the tropics"; "endemic malaria"; "food shortages and starvation are endemic in certain parts of the world"

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epidemic

adjective 1. widespread, wide-ranging, general, sweeping, prevailing, rampant, prevalent, rife, pandemic

noun 2. outbreak, plague, growth, spread, scourge, contagion

3. spate, plague, outbreak, wave, rash, eruption, upsurge

Translations

epidemic [ɛpɪˈdɛmɪk] n → epidemia

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epidemic [ɛpɪˈdɛmɪk] n → épidémie f

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epidemic [ɛpɪˈdɛmɪk] n → Epidemie f

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epidemic [ɛpɪˈdɛmɪk] n → epidemia