Webster's English Dictionary

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epidemic

1. ep.i.dem.ic \.ep-*-'dem-ik\ \-i-k*l\ \-i-k(*-)le-\ \-.dem-'is-*t-e-\ aj 
   [F e`pide`mique, fr. MF, fr. epidemie, n., epidemic, fr. LL ep]idemia, fr. 
   Gk epide-mia visit, epidemic, fr. epide-mos visiting, epidemic, fr. epi- + 
   de-mos people 1a: affecting many persons at once  1b: EPIPHYTOTIC  1c: 
   EPIZOOTIC  2: excessively prevalent  - ep.i.dem.i.cal aj
2. epidemic n 1: an outbreak of epidemic disease  2: an outbreak or product 
   of sudden rapid spread, growth, or development; (Xspecif : a natural 
   population suddenly and greatly enlarged