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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Epidemic \Ep`i*dem"ic\, Epidemical \Ep`i*dem"ic*al\, a. [L.
epidemus, Gr. ?, ?, among the people, epidemic; ? in ?
people: cf. F. ['e]pid['e]mique. Cf. {Demagogue}.]
1. (Med.) 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}.
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2. Spreading widely, or generally prevailing; affecting great
numbers, as an epidemic does; as, epidemic rage; an
epidemic evil.
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It was the epidemical sin of the nation. --Bp.
Burnet.
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Epidemic \Ep`i*dem"ic\, n. [Cf. {Epidemy}.]
1. (Med.) An epidemic disease.
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2. Anything which takes possession of the minds of people as
an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of
terror.
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