epidemic
[ ep-i-dem-ik ]
/ ˌɛp ɪˈdɛm ɪk /
adjective
Also ep·i·dem·i·cal.
(of a disease) affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent.
Compare pandemic(def 1).
extremely prevalent; widespread.
noun
a temporary prevalence of a disease.
a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something: an epidemic of riots.
Origin of epidemic
OTHER WORDS FROM epidemic
ep·i·dem·i·cal·ly, adverb ep·i·de·mic·i·ty [ep-i-duh-mis-i-tee] /ˌɛp ɪ dəˈmɪs ɪ ti/, noun in·ter·ep·i·dem·ic, adjective pre·ep·i·dem·ic, noun, adjectiveWords nearby epidemic
Example sentences from the Web for epidemicity
Dr. Kerr attributed this increase to exacerbation in the type, and epidemicity of the disease.
Prisoners Their Own Warders |J. F. A. McNair
British Dictionary definitions for epidemicity
epidemic
/ (ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk) /
adjective
(esp of a disease) attacking or affecting many persons simultaneously in a community or area
noun
a widespread occurrence of a disease
an influenza epidemic
a rapid development, spread, or growth of something, esp something unpleasant
an epidemic of strikes
Derived forms of epidemic
epidemically, adverbWord Origin for epidemic
C17: from French
épidémique, via Late Latin from Greek
epidēmia literally: among the people, from
epi- +
dēmos people
Medical definitions for epidemicity (1 of 2)
epidemicity
[ ĕp′ĭ-də-mĭs′ĭ-tē ]
n.
The ability to spread from one host to others; the state of being epidemic.
Medical definitions for epidemicity (2 of 2)
epidemic
[ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk ]
adj.
Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or population at the same time, as of a disease or illness.
n.
An outbreak or unusually high occurrence of a disease or illness in a population or area.
Scientific definitions for epidemicity
epidemic
[ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk ]
An outbreak of a disease or illness that spreads rapidly among individuals in an area or population at the same time. See also endemic pandemic.
Cultural definitions for epidemicity
epidemic
A contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely among the population in an area. Immunization and quarantine are two of the methods used to control an epidemic.