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

First recorded in 1595–1605; obsolete epidem(y) (from Late Latin epidēmia, from Greek epidēmía “staying in one place, among the people,” equivalent to epi- epi- + dêm(os) “people of a district” + -ia -y3) + -ic

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, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH epidemic

endemic epidemic pandemic

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, adverb

Word 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-mĭsĭ-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-dĕmĭk ]

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-dĕmĭk ]

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.