EPIDEMIC

epidemic. Epidemic, a. general, affecting numbers

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{ Ep′i‐dem″ic (?), Ep′i‐dem″ic‐al (?), } a. [[L. epidemus, Gr. �, �, among the people, epidemic; � in + � people: cf. F. épidémique. Cf. Demagogue.]] 1. 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.
2. 2. Spreading widely, or generally prevailing; affecting great numbers, as an epidemic does; as, epidemic rage; an epidemic evil.
It was the epidemical sin of the nation. Bp. Burnet.