from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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It was the epidemical sin of the nation. --Bp.
Burnet.
[1913 Webster]