'Epidemic' definitions:

Definition of 'epidemic'

(from WordNet)
adjective
(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" [ant: ecdemic, endemic, endemical]
noun
A widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

Definition of 'Epidemic'

From: 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Spreading widely, or generally prevailing; affecting great numbers, as an epidemic does; as, epidemic rage; an epidemic evil. [1913 Webster]
  • It was the epidemical sin of the nation. --Bp. Burnet. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Epidemic'

From: GCIDE
  • Epidemic \Ep`i*dem"ic\, n. [Cf. Epidemy.]
  • 1. (Med.) An epidemic disease. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Anything which takes possession of the minds of people as an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of terror. [1913 Webster]